🗞️ Chronicles of Misrule (Texas Edition)

“Silence After Sunset”

—Or— When Texas Tries to Turn Colleges Into Crypts

🌙 What on Earth Has Texas Done?

Texas lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 2972, which, if signed by Governor Greg Abbott, would ban all expressive activities on public university campuses from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. This sweeping restriction—lasting ten hours each night—covers all speech, including study groups, journalism, protest petitions, dancing, prayer, even social media posting (even, one assumes, on Truth Social).

Yes, you read correctly: no talking at night—the final domain of clandestine committee meetings and midnight musings—deemed too dangerous for the Republic.

🎯 The Law That Gaslights Its Own Democracy

Ostensibly targeted at quashing pro‑Palestinian protests, the bill’s language is so broad it would muzzle any speech between sundown and sunrise—regardless of intent.
Critics argue the law is sloppily drafted, nearly guaranteeing a constitutional challenge—especially given its resemblance to a recently struck-down Indiana policy regarding late-night protests.
The law even includes a nonsensical carve-out proclaiming it “should not infringe” on First Amendment rights—like stamping "non-toxic" on a jar of arsenic.

🏛️ Why It Matters—Beyond Midnight Mute Buttons

Selective Silence: Universities might selectively enforce the ban on certain groups (like those covering controversial topics), weaponizing night-time speech prohibition .
Intellectual Repression: The measure is part of a growing pattern—including SB 37 and SB 12—where Texas legislators seek to control curricula, books, and now even prayer and protest at night .
Court-Inevitable: Legal experts and free speech advocates unanimously predict this bill will be overturned for violating the First Amendment; attempts to dodge scrutiny don’t obviate constitutional review .

✒️ Dispatch Addendum

Gov. Abbott faces mounting pressure to veto SB 2972 before Texas taxpayers funnel money into defending a legal loser.
Until then, Texans—especially students—might consider a midnight study circle on the Capitol lawn… but, uh, only if they pack earplugs for the silence patrol.