- A federal judge issued a temporary stay on Mississippi’s HB 1193, which aimed to prohibit DEI programs in public educational institutions, citing threats to constitutional rights.
- Judge Henry Wingate sided with plaintiffs, including the ACLU and Mississippi Center for Justice, arguing the law’s vague language and punitive measures (like defunding schools) created a "chilling effect" on free expression.
- Educators reported canceled partnerships and trainings, such as the University of Mississippi withdrawing from a Pride parade, demonstrating immediate suppression of protected speech.
- The ruling highlights ongoing conservative efforts to dismantle DEI programs, mirroring laws in 15 other states, while opponents compare it to historical censorship campaigns.
- The temporary restraining order lasts 14 days, with further hearings scheduled. The outcome could influence nationwide debates over DEI restrictions and academic freedom.
A federal judge has issued a temporary stay on a Mississippi law prohibiting woke diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the Magnolia State's public educational institutions.
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate of the Southern District of Mississippi issued the temporary ban Sunday, July 20. The magistrate appointed by former President Ronald Reagan declared House Bill (HB) 1193 a threat to constitutional rights.
In his Sunday ruling, Wingate sided with the plaintiffs who were backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ). The plaintiffs argued that HB 1193's vague language and punitive penalties, such as defunding noncompliant institutions, created a "chilling effect" on free expression. Affidavits from educators revealed canceled partnerships and trainings, including the University of Mississippi's withdrawal from a local Pride parade.
According to the magistrate, the suppression of protected speech was "an ongoing deprivation" of rights. He also warned that ambiguous bans risk undermining academic freedom. Nevertheless, Wingate's decision marks the latest battle in a national wave of conservative-led efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives in higher education. (Related: Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s attempt to fire intelligence officers in DEI programs.)
The ruling effectively stalls HB 1193 – which bans DEI offices, trainings and courses on so-called "divisive concepts" – just weeks after it took effect on July 1. The federal judge's restraining order, which lasts for 14 days, could extend pending further hearings. Both parties involved in the case are due back in court on Wednesday, July 23.
DEI under fire: A legal showdown over what schools can teach
HB 1193, which the Magnolia State passed in April, echoes similar legislation approved in 15 other states since 2023. It prohibits teachings on racial or gender superiority, transgender identity and related topics.
Critics likened it to mid-20th-century censorship campaigns, where fear of "subversive" ideas led to classroom purges. Proponents, however, framed DEI programs as ideological indoctrination. State attorneys defended the bill as a safeguard against "divisive" content, though they conceded enforcement confusion during hearings.
The ruling signals a broader judicial scrutiny of anti-DEI laws, and a potential roadmap for future challenges. For now, Mississippi educators regain a tentative reprieve, as the courts weigh whether such bans, in Wingate’s words, "promote, rather than impair, the interests of citizens and the constitutional principles on which this republic stands."
The outcome of this legal battle will have repercussions beyond Mississippi classrooms. It will also potentially redefine the national debate over what belongs – and what's barred – from America's schools.
Head over to Wokies.news for more similar stories.
Watch Rob Schmitt of Newsmax denouncing California's prioritization of DEI above everything else in this clip.
This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.
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CIA officers lose bid to block firings tied to Trump's DEI order.
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