Embry-Riddle Students Allege Censorship Over Blocked ‘DEI Is Racism’ Poster, File Federal Complaint

Conservative students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus are accusing the school of censorship after administrators repeatedly rejected a poster advertising a campus talk by former U.S. Rep. Allen West, who was set to speak against diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

According to USA TODAY, the university’s chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), which organized the Nov. 5 event, says administrators prohibited the phrases “DEI is racism” and “against DEI” from appearing on promotional materials. The national parent organization, Young America’s Foundation (YAF), has since filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, alleging discrimination against conservative students and viewpoints.

Emails shared by the foundation show a university employee directing chapter president Benjamin Isbell to remove statements calling DEI “racism” and critical of the initiative. After multiple rejections, Isbell submitted a final poster labeled “CENSORED” in red text, which was also denied.

Embry-Riddle did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Arizona Republic.

The complaint claims the university violated civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin and sex. It also alleges that school staff improperly cited an executive order from former President Donald Trump — which restricts DEI programming — as grounds for rejecting the flyer.

While private universities are not bound by the First Amendment, they are subject to federal anti-discrimination laws. Garrett Gravley, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said that “whether Trump’s order applies to private schools is unclear,” noting that the executive order itself has faced legal challenges for infringing on free speech.

This is the second YAF complaint against Embry-Riddle this year. A February filing accused the university of selectively enforcing campus policies to restrict conservative and religious expression, including events supporting Israel and opposing abortion and transgender rights.

Despite the controversy, YAF spokesperson Spencer Brown said the Allen West event would proceed as scheduled on Nov. 5, calling the university’s actions “a clear attempt to silence dissent on campus.”