An appeal requesting the overturning of a ruling by a lower federal court was filed on Wednesday, August 26, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by University of Alabama (UA) student plaintiffs involving the upholding of the permanent discontinuance of Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice, two student-led publications. According to the Alabama Political Reporter, the fight has only just begun. In December of 2025, the university notified both publications to cease operations immediately due to anti-DEI law SB129, followed by a legally non-binding memo authored by former Attorney General Pam Bondi. The memo outlined Bondi’s recommendations to remain in compliance with the federal government’s agenda while avoiding potential “significant legal risks.” In pursuit to continue exercising their First Amendment right, the student plaintiffs filed the Pointer vs. Phelps complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in March of this year. A petition for the reinstatement of the publications is also active and has garnered over 3,000 signatures for support.
When the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense Fund reshared the news via Threads, community reactions reflected frustration with the university’s decision and a general consensus of unsurprised commentary.
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What makes Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice DEI?
Nineteen Fifty-Six is a publication named after the year Autherine Lucy Foster first enrolled at the University of Alabama, making her the first Black student to attend UA. The magazine’s focus centered Black culture, excellence, and student experiences at UA and existed as a Black-led publication that was funded by the university. Alice is described as a fashion and lifestyle magazine primarily marketed to young women and also received its funding from UA. Under Bondi’s non-binding suggestions within the federal memo, both allegedly fell into the category of “unlawful proxies” that applied “ostensibly neutral criteria that function as substitutes for explicit consideration of race, sex, or other protected characteristics.”
Why silencing the press matters
The silencing of publications, journalists, and now recently student journalists are all a part of a concerning pattern that seeks to invoke fear and control. Implementing policies that participate in dismantling systems that allow marginalized communities to advocate, prioritize, or celebrate their identities is a tactic of oppression. It is a slippery slope that has only increased in traction since 2024. Both Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice are entities that exist to cater to audiences that are routinely undervalued and underserved. The existence of the platforms is not about intentional or deliberate isolation of other groups. Instead, each publication offered communal space allowing for connection among similar communities. They also acted as sounding boards to discuss topics that directly involved or impacted them. Prohibiting the publications’ operation only further removes access to platforms. These students’ experience is no different than what occurred with Don Lemon at CNN and Joy Ann Reid at MSNBC. The goal is abundantly clear. By taking away platforms and limiting access to information, the administration behind the push of anti-DEI policies gains a tighter grip on what information is distributed and how. This kind of censorship leads to a society where the truth of our experiences is subjective and at the mercy of those in control of the narrative. It opens the door for singular reporting, even if it’s inaccurate or not a complete representation of the facts.