BLM Activist Ruined White Student’s Life With Bogus Allegation She Threatened to Kill Protesters
Cancel Culture
How an Ill-Informed Internet Mob Ruined a UVA Student’s Life
Imagine being accused of something you didn’t do and having your life turned upside down because of it. That’s exactly what happened to Morgan Bettinger, a UVA student who was falsely accused on social media of telling protesters they would make good “speed bumps.” It took over a year for investigations to clear her name.
The story started with a tweet from Zyahna Bryant, a 19-year-old UVA student and social justice activist, during a Black Women Matter protest in Charlottesville. Her tweet alleged that a white woman had driven up to the protest and made the offensive comment. The tweet went viral, and the allegations were picked up by local news outlets and even the university administration.
But here’s the thing: there was no evidence to support the allegations. No one captured the woman’s words on camera, and investigations later cleared Bettinger of any wrongdoing. Yet, the damage had already been done. Bettinger’s reputation was tarnished, and she had to endure a year of false accusations and harassment.
This is a prime example of cancel culture gone wrong. It’s important to hold people accountable for their actions, but it’s equally important to make sure those accusations are based on facts, not rumors and hearsay. Let’s learn from this and strive to do better.
Key Takeaways:
- False accusations can ruin lives.
- Cancel culture should be based on facts, not rumors.
- Hold people accountable, but make sure the accusations are true.
Let’s strive to create a culture of accountability and fairness.
Skip the Ad and continue watching the top stories! But before you do, let’s talk about the recent incident that has sparked outrage. It all started when a woman, who we’ll call Karen, called the police to report a threat she made herself. Yes, you read that right. UVA professor Jalane Schmidt was quick to call her out on Twitter, asking why Karen would call the police on herself. And local journalist Molly Co had a suggestion for Karen’s safety – take away her keys if she’s going to have the urge to run people over.
But let’s not dwell on Karen’s actions. Instead, let’s focus on the victims of communism. Did you know that there’s a day dedicated to honoring them? It’s called Victims of Communism Day and it’s happening in 2023. Make sure to mark your calendars and pay your respects.
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Don’t miss out on the latest news and updates. Stay tuned!The Viral Tweet That Destroyed a Student’s Reputation
How One Tweet Changed Everything
It all started with a tweet. A young woman at a protest in Charlottesville was caught on camera making a threatening remark to the protesters. Within hours, the internet had identified her as Morgan Bettinger, a UVA student and daughter of a cop.
The Fallout
The UVA community was outraged. Students took to Twitter to express their disgust, with some even calling for Bettinger’s expulsion. The university eventually issued a statement condemning any threats directed at members of the community.
Bettinger was the subject of multiple investigations, and while she was eventually allowed to continue her studies, her reputation was destroyed.
The Truth
But here’s the thing: there’s no evidence that Bettinger actually made the threatening remark. A student-run investigation agreed with her version of events, and a separate investigation by the school’s civil rights office found no evidence to support the allegations.
So why did Bettinger’s life get turned upside down? Because of one tweet that went viral. It’s a cautionary tale about the power of social media and the importance of getting all the facts before jumping to conclusions.
Lessons Learned
As for Bettinger, she graduated from UVA with a permanent mark on her record and a damaged reputation. But her story serves as a reminder that we should always be careful about what we post online and the impact it can have on others. And when it comes to accusations, we should always seek the truth before passing judgment.The Story of a Campus Rumor Mill and a Woman Wrongly Sanctioned
The Incident
It was July 17, 2020, when Katelyn Bettinger was driving home from work on East High Street in Charlottesville. She encountered a dump truck blocking the road, but it didn’t seem to be completely blocking the intersection, so she kept driving. When she realized the road was completely blocked, she had no room to turn around. Confused, she parked her car and went out to see what was going on.
As she got out of her car, the driver of the dump truck initiated a conversation with her. They had a brief, casual conversation, and at some point, Bettinger told the driver something like “It’s a good thing that you are here, because otherwise these people would have been speed bumps.” Her comment was intended to thank the driver for protecting the protesters, many of whom were sitting in the middle of often-busy East High Street.
After finishing her conversation with the truck driver, Bettinger walked around the front of the truck and toward the back of the crowd to get a better look at the protest. She took a photo and began walking back to her car.
The Aggressive Crowd
As she was walking back to her car, a few in the crowd had begun to take an interest in her. Someone seemed to be recording her, and others were following her. Unnerved, Bettinger immediately called her mother and got in her car. The crowd grew increasingly aggressive, and many began shouting at her. One protester even started pounding on the car’s windows. Frightened, she called 911.
Eventually, the protesters gave her enough space to back up one block, pulling her car onto 3rd Street. Videos taken by protest attendees show that a small group of protesters followed Bettinger. One of the protesters was Bryant.
The Fallout
The incident sparked a rumor mill that rushed to collective judgment, a pervasive climate of anger and outrage, a weak campus administration, and a unique higher-ed justice system that faltered just when it was most needed. Bettinger was informally ostracized and formally sanctioned for a story that seemingly everyone on campus had heard and believed, but which was never proven.
The story that dominated the narrative on campus was that Bettinger had intentionally driven her car into a crowd of protesters. However, according to Bettinger, her comment was taken out of context, and she never had any intention of harming anyone.
The Lesson
This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rushing to judgment and the importance of seeking the truth before making accusations. It also highlights the need for a fair and just system of justice that doesn’t rely on rumors and hearsay. Let’s learn from this and strive to create a better, more just society.Morgan Bettinger’s Harrowing Experience: How Social Media Can Turn You into a Villain
Introduction
Morgan Bettinger, a student at the University of Virginia, had no idea that a simple road rage incident would turn her life upside down. What started as a minor altercation with a fellow driver quickly escalated into a social media frenzy that left her feeling shaken and vulnerable. In this article, we’ll explore how social media can turn an ordinary person into a villain overnight.
The Incident
Bettinger was driving on East High Street when she got into a minor accident with another driver. The other driver, who happened to be a Black Lives Matter activist named Zyahna Bryant, started filming the incident and accused Bettinger of making racist threats. Bettinger denied the allegations and eventually drove home after speaking to the police. She was physically shaken and taken aback by the whole experience.
The Social Media Frenzy
Bettinger was unaware of the social media fervor that was building until hours later. One of her friends from high school reached out to her and sent her a link to Bryant’s Twitter thread. Bryant, who had gained national recognition for her social justice activism, had accused Bettinger of making racist threats and demanded that the University of Virginia take action against her.
As the story spread online, comments kept rolling in, mostly on Twitter. Many students demanded that Bettinger be expelled from the university, while others made veiled threats against her. Bettinger’s phone did not stop blowing up, and she didn’t sleep for nights. She even had to use a friend’s car to avoid being identified and followed by strangers.
The Fallout
Bettinger felt the ramifications of the incident offline too. The director of her program sent a series of mass emails condemning her alleged behavior, and she was forced to deal with the stigma of being labeled a racist. She was majoring in political philosophy, policy, and law, and the incident had a profound impact on her academic and personal life.
Conclusion
The incident involving Morgan Bettinger and Zyahna Bryant is a cautionary tale about the power of social media to turn an ordinary person into a villain. It’s a reminder that we should be careful about jumping to conclusions and making accusations without all the facts. As we navigate the digital world, we must remember that our words and actions have consequences, and that social media can be a double-edged sword.udent Faces Disciplinary Charges for Speaking Out: UVA’s Elite Student Justice System
When Nicole Bettinger spoke out against her university’s handling of sexual assault cases, she never expected to face disciplinary charges. But after her cohort refused to be in the same virtual classroom as her, the class was changed to an asynchronous course. And when Bettinger was referred to the University Judiciary Committee (UJC) for “threatening the protesters,” she knew she was in for a fight.
The UJC is a student-run organization that functions as the school’s disciplinary system, handling almost all cases of student misconduct not falling under the honor code or allegations of sexual assault. But unlike many other student justice systems, the UJC is a well-oiled machine, with a bureaucracy that handles the investigation, defense, judgment, and punishment of accused students.
To protect accused students’ legal rights, the UJC employs a staggering number of practices. Before they even hear a case, new jury members are given a training on their “constitutional responsibilities,” which includes an overview of the First Amendment and the legal definition of a true threat. The university administration frequently reviews the jury’s findings before they are formally announced, and juries are sometimes provided with “panel instructions,” a document reviewing the relevant laws.
In Bettinger’s case, the panel instructions should have included an explanation of what the First Amendment requires of a university and the legal definition of a true threat. According to Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), “a true threat is a statement in which the speaker means to convey a serious intent to engage in violence against another person.”
Bettinger’s case raises important legal issues, and the UJC and the administration believed it was important enough to provide panel instructions. But will the UJC protect Bettinger’s constitutional rights? Only time will tell.ttinger’s UJC Trial: A Case of Free Speech and Unfair Proceedings
Was it a True Threat?
According to Einbaugh and Bettinger, her comment about protesters being “speed bumps” was not a true threat. It was simply rhetorical hyperbole, an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken seriously. If the UJC jury believed this, then they shouldn’t have punished her for it. The UJC seemed to understand the First Amendment issues at play when it comes to punishing a student for their speech.
The Trial Begins
As Bettinger’s trial began, she was nervous. She knew she had a solid case, but she was facing UVA students who she didn’t think would be neutral. Adding to the tension, UJC trials function like civil court, with Bryant acting as a plaintiff constructing the case against Bettinger. It was her versus Bryant.
Confusing Panel Instructions
Before the trial even started, Bettinger’s outside lawyer and UJC-assigned counselor were pulled into a private meeting to discuss the panel instructions for the case, along with Bryant’s lawyer and counselor. Weber had made an informal agreement with university counsel on the content of the panel instructions, but the instructions presented at trial were completely different than what he expected. The panel instructions were highly confusing, and they were not given any opportunity to state their objections on the record.
Inconsistent Testimony
During the trial, several of Bryant’s own witnesses offered testimony inconsistent with the claims Bryant originally made in her complaint to the UJC. Two of Bryant’s witnesses said Bettinger spoke only to the truck driver, which matched witness reports from the school’s civil rights investigation later. In Bryant’s original complaint, she never mentioned Bettinger speaking to a truck driver, only directly to protesters.
The Verdict
After hours of trial, the jury came back with their verdict around 3 or 4 a.m. They had found Bettinger guilty. She was numb and didn’t show any emotion. The proceedings were unfair, and the confusing panel instructions and inconsistent testimony raise questions about the UJC’s ability to adjudicate complaints fairly.
Justice Delayed: The Agonizing Wait for Punishment
For Kieran Ravi Bhattacharya, the University of Virginia’s (UVA) student-run judiciary committee (UJC) was a nightmare. After being accused of making a threatening statement during a protest in Charlottesville, Bhattacharya had to wait for nearly three days to learn her punishment. The stress was so overwhelming that she was physically sick and throwing up in the bathroom.
The Verdict: Ideological Retraining
Finally, on September 28, Bhattacharya was sentenced to 50 hours of community service, three meetings with a professor to learn about “police community relations,” an apology letter to the accuser, and expulsion in abeyance. But the UJC’s decision was puzzling. The jury found Bhattacharya guilty, even though they didn’t dispute her version of events. The reason? The cultural, political, and geographical context of her speech. Essentially, the UJC punished her for ideological reasons and sentenced her to retraining.
It’s impossible to know why the student jury punished Bhattacharya without full access to the panel instructions. But what’s clear is the decision’s partisan tone. The UJC seemed to be swayed by mass student outrage, and it’s hard not to imagine the effect it had on the verdict.
Vindication Delayed: The Investigation
Bhattacharya appealed her UJC verdict and tried to finish her senior year. Meanwhile, the university’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) investigated a different complaint filed by the accuser, alleging that Bhattacharya had harassed her on the basis of her race.
When the investigation was completed in June 2021, it arrived at a different conclusion than the UJC’s. The EOCR found that Bhattacharya didn’t legally harass the accuser and that her allegations were shaky. The report revealed that only one of the five allegations made against Bhattacharya had sufficient evidence to support it. And that was the one that Bhattacharya never denied. The other four allegations were not corroborated by other witnesses, and the accuser even changed her story multiple times.
Despite the UJC’s verdict, Bhattacharya was vindicated by the EOCR’s investigation. It’s a reminder that justice delayed is not always justice denied.
Key Takeaways:
- Kieran Ravi Bhattacharya was accused of making a threatening statement during a protest in Charlottesville.
- The UVA’s student-run judiciary committee (UJC) found her guilty and sentenced her to retraining.
- The UJC’s decision had a partisan tone and was influenced by mass student outrage.
- The university’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) investigated a different complaint filed by the accuser and found that Bhattacharya didn’t legally harass her.
- Despite the UJC’s verdict, Bhattacharya was vindicated by the EOCR’s investigation.
How a False Accusation of Racism Ruined a Student’s Life at UVA
The Incident
In 2018, a student at the University of Virginia (UVA) was accused of making racist comments towards protesters. The student, Kieran Ravi Bhattacharya, was found guilty by the university’s Judiciary Committee (UJC) and was given a two-semester suspension. However, the accusation against Bhattacharya was based on hearsay and was later proven to be false.
The Fallout
Despite the lack of evidence against Bhattacharya, the damage to his reputation was already done. He was labeled a racist and his life was turned upside down. But Bhattacharya was not the only victim of this false accusation. Another student, Haley Bettinger, was also accused of making racist comments towards protesters. Bettinger was found guilty by the UJC and was given a one-year suspension.
The Truth Comes Out
After an investigation by the UVA’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR), it was found that the accusation against Bettinger was based on hearsay and was not supported by any evidence. In fact, it was more likely that Bettinger had learned about the alleged comments from a third-party discussion that she overheard.
The Aftermath
Despite the exoneration of Bettinger, her life has been forever changed. She has been unable to pursue her dream of attending law school due to the severe mark on her disciplinary record. Meanwhile, the student who made the false accusation against her has faced no consequences.
This case highlights the dangers of cancel culture and the importance of due process. False accusations can ruin lives and reputations, and it is important to always seek the truth before passing judgment. As for Bettinger, she is still waiting for the university to answer for the damage that their actions have caused.
The Viral Tale of a White Woman’s Racist Remark at a Black Women Matter Protest
Introduction
Have you heard the story of a white woman who made a racist remark at a Black Women Matter protest in Charlottesville? The tale went viral during the summer of 2020, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a shocking and disturbing example of the racism that still exists in our society.
The Allegations
The allegations first came to light when Zyahna Bryant, a 19-year-old UVA student and social justice activist, made them on Twitter during the demonstration. Her account was retweeted more than 1,000 times. “The woman in this truck approached protesters in #Charlottesville, and told us that we would make ‘good speedbumps,'” Bryant wrote. “She then called the police and started crying saying we were attacking her.”
Bryant also posted a series of videos showing the aftermath of the incident. In the videos, an SUV reverses down a street while Bryant and several other protesters follow. “It’s a Karen, it’s a Karen,” Bryant taunts.
The Response
The allegations were picked up by local journalists, and soon the story was everywhere. The university administration even acknowledged the rumors. Charlottesville Beyond Policing, the group that organized the protest, gave more details in a Medium post shortly afterward. The woman “drove around the public works truck blocking the street that demonstrators were convened on, and felt compelled to say, not just once, but twice, that protesters would ‘make good speed bumps,'” the post reported. “The second time she repeated it loudly to a Black protester and added ‘good fucking speed bumps.'”
Protest attendees captured videos of a small crowd, including Bryant, confronting the woman, who had retreated to her car and appeared to call the police. “Fuck you, I almost died in a fucking car accident…fucking cry bitch,” one protester shouts in footage of the incident.
The Aftermath
No one captured the woman’s words on camera, but the incident sparked a conversation about racism and the need for change. It’s a reminder that we still have a long way to go in the fight for equality.
Conclusion
The story of the white woman’s racist remark at a Black Women Matter protest in Charlottesville is a powerful example of the racism that still exists in our society. It’s a reminder that we must continue to fight for equality and justice for all.
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The Incident: It all started with a tweet. When a young woman threatened protestors in Charlottesville, the internet was quick to respond. UVA professor Jalane Schmidt and local journalist Molly Conger were among the outraged commenters.
But it didn’t stop there. The internet launched a search to identify the woman in question, and it didn’t take long. By the next morning, she had been identified as Morgan Bettinger, a rising senior at UVA.
The Fallout: The incident sparked a heated debate about free speech and the right to protest. Some defended Bettinger’s right to express her opinions, while others called for consequences for her threatening behavior.
No matter where you stand on the issue, one thing is clear: the power of social media to hold individuals accountable for their actions is stronger than ever. Join the conversation and make your voice heard.
The Story of a Campus Witch Hunt
It started with a tweet. Morgan Bettinger, a student at the University of Virginia, had allegedly made a threatening comment about protesters during a “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. The tweet, posted by a fellow student named Zyahna Bryant, quickly went viral.
As the tweet spread, UVA students became increasingly outraged. Bryant’s allegations were taken as fact, and Bettinger was quickly labeled a “f*cking Nazi” and accused of promoting domestic terrorism.
The Fallout
The university launched an investigation, and Bettinger was eventually found guilty of “threatening the health or safety” of students. She was expelled in abeyance, meaning that a second violation of the same standard of conduct would likely result in actual expulsion. She also faced a litany of other sanctions.
But despite two separate investigations, there’s no evidence beyond Bryant’s allegations that Bettinger said protestors would make “good fucking speed bumps” or that she threatened the protesters at all.
The Truth Comes Out
It wasn’t until nearly a year later that the truth came out. Additional documents previously not made public backed up Bettinger’s version of events, and the school’s civil rights office concluded that none of Bryant’s allegations had sufficient evidence to support them.
But by then, the damage had been done. Bettinger had been informally ostracized and formally sanctioned for a story that seemingly everyone on campus had heard and believed, but which was never proven.
A Cautionary Tale
This is the story of a rumor mill that rushed to collective judgment, a pervasive climate of anger and outrage, a weak campus administration, and a unique higher-ed justice system that faltered just when it was most needed. It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of jumping to conclusions and the importance of due process.
Lessons Learned
As UVA moves forward, it’s important to remember the lessons learned from this incident. We must strive to create a campus culture that values fairness, justice, and the truth. We must resist the urge to rush to judgment and instead take the time to gather all the facts. And we must hold ourselves accountable for our actions, both on and off campus.
- Value fairness, justice, and the truth
- Take the time to gather all the facts
- Hold ourselves accountable for our actions
By doing so, we can create a campus community that is truly inclusive, respectful, and just.
Uncovering the Truth: The Karen Story
A Different Narrative
The Karen story that dominated the narrative on campus is not the whole truth. According to Bettinger, on the evening of July 17, 2020, she was driving home from work on East High Street, near downtown Charlottesville, when she saw a dump truck blocking the road ahead. Bettinger says the truck didn’t appear to be completely blocking the intersection of East High and 4th Street, so she kept driving.
A Polite Conversation
As Bettinger got out of her car, she claims that the driver of the dump truck initiated a conversation with her. “I had no interest in walking over to him to speak to him,” she says, “but out of being polite, when he spoke to me I answered.” According to Bettinger, the pair had a brief, casual conversation—a claim the driver later supported in a statement to Charlottesville police.
A Misunderstood Comment
At some point during this conversation, Bettinger says, she told the driver something like “It’s a good thing that you are here, because otherwise these people would have been speed bumps.” While she says she doesn’t remember her exact words, she maintains that her comment was intended to thank the driver for protecting the protesters, many of whom were sitting in the middle of often-busy East High Street.
Aggressive Crowd
Eventually, Bettinger says that the protesters gave her enough space to back up one block, pulling her car onto 3rd Street. Videos taken by protest attendees show that a small group of protesters followed Bettinger. One of the protesters was Bryant.
Uncovering the Truth
Bryant organized her first social justice demonstration at age 18. She is known for her activism and her ability to uncover the truth. However, in this case, the truth was not what it seemed. Bettinger was unaware of the social media fervor that was building until hours later. “I was laying in bed, and one of my friends from high school…reached out and said, ‘Are you OK?’ And I didn’t know what that meant,” Bettinger says.
Lessons Learned
This story highlights the importance of uncovering the truth and not jumping to conclusions. It also shows the power of social media and how it can be used to spread misinformation. Let’s all strive to be more understanding and compassionate towards one another, and to always seek the truth before making judgments.Rise of Morgan Bettinger: From Controversial Figure to National Recognition
Introduction
The summer of 2020 was a time of social justice protests and outrage over police brutality and racism. Amidst this turmoil, Morgan Bettinger, a white girl from Charlottesville, found herself at the center of a controversy that would change her life forever.
The Controversy
Bettinger gained national recognition after she wrote a petition demanding the removal of Robert E. Lee’s statue in Charlottesville. However, her pro-police stance and her father’s profession as a cop made her a target for criticism.
When a video surfaced of her allegedly making threats towards Black Lives Matter protesters, the backlash was swift and severe. Comments flooded in on social media, calling for her expulsion from UVA and even threatening her safety.
The Fallout
Bettinger’s life was turned upside down. She received online harassment and offline threats, and even had to use a friend’s car to avoid being identified in public. Her academic career was also affected, as her cohort refused to be in the same virtual classroom as her.
Despite the challenges, Bettinger persevered. She continued her studies and even gained national recognition, being named to Teen Vogue’s “21 under 21” list and speaking alongside Bernie Sanders.
Conclusion
The rise of Morgan Bettinger is a story of resilience and determination. Despite facing intense criticism and harassment, she refused to back down and continued to pursue her goals. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can still achieve great things.
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The UJC: UVA’s Elite Student Justice System
When it comes to student justice systems, many are loose and shoddy. But not the UJC. This student-run organization is UVA’s most elite club, functioning as the school’s disciplinary system for cases of student misconduct not falling under the honor code or allegations of sexual assault. And it’s a well-oiled machine.
The UJC operates like a college-based civil court, with a bureaucracy that handles the investigation, defense, judgment, and punishment of accused students. For trials, a five-member jury is selected from a pool of around 30 elected representatives. These juries are keenly aware they act on behalf of a public university and their actions are therefore constrained by federal law.
To protect accused students’ legal rights, the UJC employs a staggering number of practices. New jury members are given training on their “constitutional responsibilities,” including an overview of the First Amendment and the legal definition of a true threat. The university administration frequently reviews the jury’s findings before they are formally announced, and juries are sometimes provided with “panel instructions” drafted with the explicit intent of guiding jury deliberations.
In the case of student Kieran Bettinger, the UJC and the administration believed her case raised legal issues. The panel instructions should have included an explanation of what the First Amendment requires of a university, including the fact that the university cannot punish speech that is protected. Additionally, because Bettinger was on trial for ‘threatening’ UVA students, the panel instructions should have included the legal definition of a true threat.
According to attorney Adam Steinbaugh at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Bettinger’s comment falls short of a true threat for two reasons: it’s not seriously conveying an intent to do something in the future, and it’s rhetorical hyperbole, meaning it’s an exaggerated, not sincere statement.
If the UJC jury believed Bettinger, they shouldn’t have been able to punish her, as her comment was simply not a true threat. The UJC is an impressive organization, but it’s important to ensure that accused students’ legal rights are protected.not provide much insight. It simply states that the panel found Bettinger guilty of “disruptive and tumultuous behavior” and “failure to comply with the directions of a University official or law enforcement officer.”
However, what is clear is that Bettinger’s experience highlights the importance of free speech on college campuses and the need for fair and transparent disciplinary processes. The UJC’s handling of her case raises questions about whether students can truly expect a fair trial when facing disciplinary action for their speech.
Despite the outcome, Bettinger remains committed to advocating for free speech and fighting against what she sees as a growing trend of censorship on college campuses. “I’m not going to be silenced,” she says. “I’m going to keep speaking out.”
Here are some key takeaways from Bettinger’s experience:
Lessons Learned from a Free Speech Trial
1. Fair Trials are Essential
Bettinger’s experience highlights the need for fair and transparent disciplinary processes on college campuses. Students should be able to expect a fair trial when facing disciplinary action for their speech.
2. Free Speech is Under Threat
Bettinger’s case is just one example of a growing trend of censorship on college campuses. It’s important to advocate for free speech and fight against attempts to silence dissenting voices.
3. Don’t Give Up
Despite the outcome of her trial, Bettinger remains committed to speaking out and advocating for free speech. It’s important to not be silenced and to keep fighting for what you believe in.
4. Know Your Rights
It’s important to know your rights when it comes to free speech on college campuses. Familiarize yourself with your school’s policies and procedures, and seek legal counsel if necessary.
5. Stay Strong
Facing disciplinary action for your speech can be a stressful and emotional experience. It’s important to take care of yourself and seek support from friends, family, and other advocates. Don’t give up, and keep fighting for what you believe in.
Remember: free speech is a fundamental right, and it’s worth fighting for.he details of Bettinger’s alleged statement.”
The UJC’s verdict against Bettinger was harsh and partisan, punishing her for the cultural and political context of her speech. Despite this, the UJC jury seemed to agree that she was telling the truth. Bettinger appealed the verdict and continued with her senior year, but another investigation was underway. The Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights found that Bettinger didn’t legally harass Bryant and that Bryant’s allegations were shaky at best. The report found that Bryant likely learned about Bettinger’s alleged statement from a third-party discussion captured on video. It’s clear that the UJC’s verdict was flawed, but Bettinger’s vindication was delayed.
How a False Accusation Ruined a Student’s Life
The Exoneration
After the EOCR released its report, Emily Bettinger was relieved but frustrated. “Yes, I was vindicated,” she told me. “But just because they found the correct answer, in some sense, didn’t get rid of everything I had just gone through.”
The report found that Bettinger did not make a statement about protestors making speed bumps, as had been alleged. However, the damage to her reputation had already been done.
The Fight for Justice
Viewing the EOCR investigation as an exoneration, Bettinger’s lawyer, Robert Weber, sent a letter to UVA President Jim Ryan asking for his intervention in overturning Bettinger’s UJC sanction. At first, Ryan ignored the request.
But then FIRE got involved in the case, sending another letter to Ryan alleging the school had violated Bettinger’s First Amendment rights. After receiving FIRE’s letter, Ryan responded by denying both Weber and FIRE’s legal appeals, writing to FIRE: “As President, it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in a case that has been properly adjudicated.”
A Future in Limbo
Bryant has thrived since the incident, but Bettinger lives in a state of limbo. With such a severe mark on her disciplinary record, law school feels permanently out of reach. She still lives and works in the Charlottesville area—she won’t say where, out of fear of being stalked at her new job.
Though the allegation against Bettinger was always flimsy, the damage it did to her reputation has not been reversed. It didn’t matter there was never any evidence that she had threatened protesters. At times, it didn’t even seem to matter that she was a person at all, a young woman who deserved the benefit of the doubt.
The University’s Lack of Accountability
“This whole situation has had a huge impact on my life,” Bettinger says. “The university has never had to answer for what their actions have done.”
The lack of accountability from the university has left Bettinger in a state of uncertainty about her future. It’s a stark reminder of the power of false accusations and the importance of due process.
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