
BERT v. O'CONNOR
What's at Stake
On October 19, 2021 the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Oklahoma, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and pro bono counsel Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP filed a lawsuit challenging an Oklahoma classroom censorship bill, HB 1775, which severely restricts public school teachers and students from learning and talking about race and gender in the classroom.
Summary
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of plaintiffs the Black Emergency Response Team (BERT); the University of Oklahoma Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (OU-AAUP); the Oklahoma State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP-OK); the American Indian Movement (AIM) Indian Territory on behalf of itself and its members who are public school students and teachers, a high school student, and Oklahoma public high school teachers Anthony Crawford and Regan Killackey.
The Oklahoma bill’s lead authors in the state House and Senate declared the bill’s intent was to prohibit conversations related to “implicit bias,” “systemic racism” and “intersectionality,” among other concepts. The lawsuit argues HB 1775 is an unlawful restraint on freedom of expression by silencing students’ and educators’ speech through its vague and overbroad terms. It also intentionally targets and denies access to equitable, culturally relevant teaching and ideas that reflect the history and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; women and girls; and LGBTQ+ students.
This lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Legal Documents
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11/09/2021
Amended Complaint -
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10/19/2021
Exhibit 1 - Edmond Public Schools Written Guidance -
10/19/2021
Exhibit 2 - Edmond Public Schools ELA Guidance
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - Edmond Public Schools Written GuidanceDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/19/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - Edmond Public Schools ELA GuidanceDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/19/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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10/19/2021
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10/29/2021
Motion & Memorandum Supporting Preliminary Injunction -
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10/29/2021
Exhibit 1 - HB 1775 -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 2 - HB 1775 Emergency Rules -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 3 - BERT Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 4 - AAUP Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 5 - NAACP-Oklahoma Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 6 - American Indian Movement Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 7 - S.L. Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 8 - Anthony Crawford Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 9 - Regan Killackey Declaration -
10/29/2021
Exhibit 10 - Marvin Lynn Declaration
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - HB 1775Download DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - HB 1775 Emergency RulesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 3 - BERT DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 4 - AAUP DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 5 - NAACP-Oklahoma DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 6 - American Indian Movement DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 7 - S.L. DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 8 - Anthony Crawford DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 9 - Regan Killackey DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 10 - Marvin Lynn DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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10/29/2021
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11/23/2021
OU Regents' Brief in Support of its Motion to Dismiss -
11/23/2021
Edmond Defendants' Brief in Support of its Motion to Dismiss -
11/23/2021
Defendants' (1–18) Answer to Amended Complaint -
12/16/2021
OU Regents' Response & Objection to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
12/16/2021
OU Regents' Motion & Brief to Strike Plaintiffs' Affidavits -
12/16/2021
Edmond Defendants’ Objection to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
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12/16/2021
Exhibit 1 - Affidavit of Emily Steele -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 2 - Affidavit of Jacqueline Rasnic
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - Affidavit of Emily SteeleDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - Affidavit of Jacqueline RasnicDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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12/16/2021
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12/16/2021
OU Regents' Response in Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
12/16/2021
Defendants' (1–18) Response in Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
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12/16/2021
Exhibit 1 - Arkansas Attorney General Opinion -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 2 - Montana Attorney General Opinion -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 3 - Affidavit of James Taylor -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 4 - Affidavit of Janet Barresi -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 5 - HB 1775 Vote Record -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 6 - Affidavit of Calvin Jones -
12/16/2021
Exhibit 7 - NEA Guide
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - Arkansas Attorney General OpinionDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - Montana Attorney General OpinionDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 3 - Affidavit of James TaylorDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 4 - Affidavit of Janet BarresiDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 5 - HB 1775 Vote RecordDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 6 - Affidavit of Calvin JonesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 7 - NEA GuideDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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12/16/2021
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01/13/2022
Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
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01/13/2022
Exhibit 1 - Second BERT Declaration -
01/13/2022
Exhibit 2 - John Doe Declaration -
01/13/2022
Exhibit 3 - EPS 2019 English Curriculum
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - Second BERT DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - John Doe DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 3 - EPS 2019 English CurriculumDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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01/13/2022
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01/13/2022
Plaintiffs' Response in Opposition to OU Regents' Motion to Dismiss -
01/13/2022
Plaintiffs' Response in Opposition to EPS Defendants' Motion to Dismiss -
01/13/2022
Plaintiffs' Response in Opposition to OU Regents' Motion to Strike Plaintiffs' Affidavits -
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01/13/2022
Exhibit 1 - Second BERT Declaration -
01/13/2022
Exhibit 2 - John Doe Declaration -
01/13/2022
Exhibit 3 - EPS 2019 English Curriculum
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - Second BERT DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - John Doe DeclarationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 3 - EPS 2019 English CurriculumDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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01/13/2022
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01/20/2022
OU Regents Defendants' Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss -
01/20/2022
Edmond Defendants' Reply to in Support of Motion to Dismiss -
08/25/2022
Plaintiffs' Supplemental Submission in Support of their Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
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Exhibit 1 - OSDE Letter -
Exhibit 2 - Aug. 6, 2022 Tulsa World Article -
Exhibit 3 - TPS Letter
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - OSDE LetterDownload DocumentCourt: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 2 - Aug. 6, 2022 Tulsa World ArticleDownload DocumentCourt: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 3 - TPS LetterDownload DocumentCourt: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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09/07/2022
Defendants' (1–18) Response to Plaintiffs' Supplemental Submission -
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Exhibit 1 - Mustange Privilege Walk
BERT v. O'CONNORLegal DocumentsExhibit 1 - Mustange Privilege WalkDownload DocumentCourt: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
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09/14/2022
Plaintiffs' Reply to Defendants' Response to Supplemental Submission in Support of Preliminary Injunction -
01/04/2023
Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to Conduct Limited Discovery -
01/25/2023
State Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings -
01/25/2023
State Defendants' Response to Plaintiffs' Motion to Conduct Limited Discovery -
02/01/2023
Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of their Motion for Limited Discovery -
02/24/2023
Plaintiffs' Response to State Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings -
03/03/2023
State Defendants' Reply in Support of their Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
Date Filed: 11/09/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 10/29/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 12/16/2021
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/20/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/20/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 08/25/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 09/07/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 09/14/2022
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/04/2023
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/25/2023
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 01/25/2023
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 02/01/2023
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 02/24/2023
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Date Filed: 03/03/2023
Court: District Court (W.D. Okla.)
Press Releases
Oklahoma’s Classroom Censorship Act is Unconstitutional and Remains a Threat to our First and 14th Amendment Rights
ACLU, ACLU of Oklahoma, Lawyers Committee File Lawsuit Challenging Oklahoma Classroom Censorship Bill Banning Race and Gender Discourse