A federal judge ordered Texas State University to reinstate a professor that the university placed on leave and dismissed after complaints over a pro-Palestinian speech. The judicial order means Idris Robinson can resume teaching as a philosophy professor for one year or until his free speech lawsuit against the university concludes, whichever is sooner.
U.S. District Judge Alan Albright said in his order that Robinson successfully proved the university violated his First Amendment rights. Robinson gave a speech in Asheville, North Carolina in 2024 on Palestinian resistance at a book fair. He spoke in his individual capacity, not as a professor, his attorney said. There was a confrontation at the talk where three Jewish audience members filming the event were assaulted by audience members, but Robinson was not involved, media outlets reported.
Soon after the social media posts, the university received complaints about Robinson. A day later, he was placed on paid administrative leave because of “multiple complaints and allegations” about his summer 2024 talk. A month later, the university decided to not renew his contract, which ended May 31, 2026.
Robinson, a tenure-track professor, sued the university in March, arguing the university’s non-renewal violated his First Amendment rights and hurt his chances for tenure and future academic employment. Albright concluded Texas State’s actions were severe enough to cause “irreparable harm,” warranting an injunction. He also said that Robinson was “likely” to succeed in his lawsuit.
The university said in a statement that it is reviewing the court’s order and is “considering our appellate options.”