In the liberal stronghold of California, where the sun shines, the traffic crawls, and the state’s institutions are almost universally painted a bright shade of progressive blue, something truly unexpected has happened. Conservative professors and students are suing community colleges—and they’re winning. Yes, you read that correctly. In a state where saying the wrong pronoun can get you hauled into a disciplinary meeting, conservatives are standing up for their rights and walking out of courtrooms with victories. It’s enough to make you believe in miracles.

These lawsuits revolve around something called the First Amendment. Remember that? It’s the part of the Constitution that says you’re allowed to speak your mind without fear of government retribution. But apparently, many of California’s community colleges missed that memo. Professors and students alike have alleged that their schools have implemented policies that stifle free speech, punish dissenting views, and create an environment where being anything other than a card-carrying progressive makes you a pariah.

Take, for example, the brave professors who dared to question mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. These workshops, which are supposed to promote inclusivity, often feel more like struggle sessions where anyone who doesn’t toe the ideological line is branded as problematic. One professor described the experience as being forced to confess thought crimes in front of a tribunal. And when he refused to participate? The administration came down on him harder than California taxes on small businesses.

But these professors didn’t back down. They filed lawsuits, arguing that the DEI mandates violated their rights to free speech and academic freedom. And shockingly, they won. Courts have ruled that forcing professors to parrot politically charged rhetoric isn’t just bad policy—it’s unconstitutional. Imagine that: a legal system that still respects the Constitution, even in California. Who knew?

Students have also joined the fight. At several community colleges, conservative student groups have faced blatant discrimination. They’ve been denied funding, barred from hosting events, and subjected to a level of scrutiny that their progressive counterparts never experience. When one group tried to invite a conservative speaker to campus, the administration threw up so many roadblocks it was practically an obstacle course. But the students fought back, taking their cases to court and securing rulings that reaffirmed their right to assemble and express their views.

The reactions from the colleges have been as predictable as they are amusing. Administrators insist they’re not trying to suppress free speech—they’re just promoting “inclusive dialogue.” Translation: you can say whatever you want, as long as it aligns with our worldview. One college spokesperson even argued that requiring professors to submit DEI statements wasn’t about limiting speech; it was about fostering a welcoming environment. Because nothing says “welcome” like being told your job depends on endorsing policies you fundamentally disagree with.

What’s happening in California is part of a broader trend. Across the country, conservatives are pushing back against the ideological overreach of educational institutions, and they’re finding success in the courts. These victories are a reminder that the First Amendment isn’t just for people who agree with you—it’s for everyone. And it’s a wake-up call to the academic elite who think they can silence dissent without consequence.

Of course, the media coverage of these cases has been minimal. Don’t expect glowing profiles of these professors and students on CNN. Their victories don’t fit the narrative that conservatives are the oppressors and progressives are the underdogs. But make no mistake: these wins are significant. They’re a sign that the tide is turning, even in places as ideologically entrenched as California.

So the next time someone tells you that conservatives can’t make a difference in liberal states, point them to these lawsuits. Show them that when you stand up for your rights, you can win—even against the odds. It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not glamorous, but it’s worth it. Because free speech matters, academic freedom matters, and the Constitution still matters. And if that makes the California elite uncomfortable, well, maybe it’s time they got used to it.