Chris Schulz Published

ACLU-WV Joins Criticism Of Governor’s Anti-DEI Order

A man with white hair, glasses and wearing a dark suit stands at a desk in front of a large U.S. flag. He leans over the desk to sign papers in a folder using a blue pen.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey signs an executive order Jan. 14, 2024
Courtesy of the governor's office

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) has joined the criticism of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Popularly known as DEI, the term has become shorthand for efforts from organizations like universities and companies to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people. 

In a press release, the ACLU-WV warned the order is so broadly written that it could infringe on the free speech rights of college educators and limit classroom discussions. 

“If the governor’s office does not act quickly to correct the order, it will risk costly litigation against the state,” the release states.

The announcement was made Monday, during the celebration of MLK Day, and pointed out that discussions of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and work could be prohibited in classrooms by the order.

“This hastily written executive order represents a potential violation of educators’ free speech rights enshrined in the Constitution and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Aubrey Sparks, ACLU-WV legal director said. “Not only do we believe this order to be unconstitutional, we also can’t overstate the degree to which it is meant to create a state government hostile to people from marginalized communities.”

The ACLU joins the national free speech organization Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression in calling on Morrisey to rescind the order.
On Monday President Donald Trump signed his own executive order that ends DEI practices in federal departments immediately.