Judge Rules for Dr. Tom Alter as Battle Against University Continues
September 29, 2025—In an important first round victory for people everywhere, a Texas judge has ruled that tenured Texas State University historian and Socialist Horizon member Tom Alter must be reinstated to his job as legal litigation continues.
Tom Alter was fired by the President of Texas State University, Kelly Damphousse, after being doxed by a self-proclaimed “fascist” blogger who infiltrated and illicitly recorded Alter speaking at a virtual Revolutionary Socialism conference. Damphousse used the clips circulated by the fascist as justification to summarily fire Alter without any due process, and in direct violation of Texas State University policy, Texas state law, and U.S. Constitutional law.
The court order gives continued momentum to the widely supported grassroots campaign for Tom Alter that includes the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), the American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers (AAUP-AFT), student and community organizers, and the San Marcos branch of Socialist Horizon.
But the fight is far from over. The university has stated it will proceed with hearings against Alter.
Meanwhile, Tom Alter’s lawsuit will move forward against the University in defense of his free speech, fundamental democratic rights, and his rights as a tenured and unionized educational worker.
The outcome of the fight is undetermined but can be won. We need to build a nationwide and international solidarity campaign.
There is a need for people of conscience everywhere to join the campaign and double down in their support for Tom Alter and free speech. A victory in this case would be a victory over fascists and Far Right and authoritarian forces colluding to repress free speech. It would also be a victory against capitalists that are seeking to punish workers and weaken union rights.
Join this campaign and stand with Tom Alter. His fight for free speech and workers’ rights is a fight for all of us!
What you can do to support:
- Donate to help Tom Alter and his family to help with expenses: https://gofund.me/27c72f26d
- Sign and share this petition demanding Tom Alter be given his job back: https://www.change.org/p/texas-state-university-give-tom-alter-his-job-back
- Write to and call the President and Provost at Texas State University demanding that Tom Alter be given his job back:
President Kelly Damphousse:
president@txstate.edu
President’s Office Phone:
512-245-2121
Provost Pranesh Aswath:
xrk25@txstate.edu
Provost Office Phone:
512-245-2205
—Northwoods Socialist Collective, September 29, 2025
https://northwoods-socialists.blogspot.com/2025/09/judge-rules-for-tom-alter-as-battle.html?m=1