I hate to be the guy, but there are serious impediments to them filing suit and being successful. First, it is unconstitutional to sue a state, which in this case, UMASS is a state school. The people involved in this horrific decision are likely covered by qualified immunity, in that any actions they’ve taken were done so, in their official capacity, and it is almost impossible to sue the individuals. The best they can do, is make an unequal under the law claim, but they’ll need to prove they were singled out, and were discriminated against, tough sledding. Things that seem so obviously wrong, when performed by state actors, are shielded by the ever expanding immunities that have been created, since the time of Nixon. Judges and prosecutors are absolutely immune, and police and prison guards, and other state officials have qualified immunity.
The Dems have passed a law, in the house, limiting police immunity, but it has not, and may not pass the senate. I believe it is called the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act”. Regardless, in most states, the state indemnifies the police officers when they’re sued, and defends them, and if for some reason a good lawyer wins against a police officer, the state pays the claim.
I live in a college town in Illinois. I haven't heard any of students being suspended for mask violations, but a couple have been suspended for failure to do bi-weekly Covid testing.
They will be able to sue in Federal court on the grounds of violations of equal protection monst other things.. The pictures of the unmasked hockey team player will come out as will testimony that none of them were punished for the same thing. The school will lose.
“I hate to be the guy,...”
When it comes to lawsuits, I am always “The Guy.” Because the media hypes incredible “wins” in lawsuits with zero context, people tend to think of them as a lottery you can’t lose. Having been through a couple of lawsuits, that weren’t voluntary even when I was the one suing, I have a pretty good perspective on what they’re like. I’d sooner have a few teeth pulled without anesthetic.
If a significant number of the students were to do a “mask-out”, would the school kick them all out ?
Except per mdmathis6 the hockey players went unmasked, and no mention of punishment for them.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3957554/posts?page=22#22