False suit against SU history professor could be politically motivated

The case filed against Southern University history professor Veronica Freeman has recently been dismissed.
Derek Scott and Jermarr Buckley filed a petition for a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief against Freeman and the SU department of social studies.
Scott and Buckley, both students of Southern University, filed the complaint alleging that Freeman forced them to work for the Wilson Fields’ judicial campaign as a requirement for completing History of Civilization 114.
“They were able to find any candidiate that they wanted to work with who was running for political office and volunteer so many hours for the candidate,” said Freeman.
According to Freeman, she asked her students to get involved in the political process because that is one of the principles of American History.
The case was dismissed based on the fact that the students were not registered in Freeman’s class.
Official records from the SU Registrars Office show that Scott and Buckley are enrolled in History of Civilization 114 for the fall semester of 2001. Scott is registered in section two, which is taught from 8:00 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in room 119 of Higgins Hall, and Buckley is registered for section four which is taught from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. on the same days in room 114.
Scott and Buckely alleged that their respective courses are taught by Freeman. Coincidentally, Freeman does not teach section two or four in History of Civilization 114. She teaches American History 104, which is taught from 8:00 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in room 109.
Neither of the students’ names appear on her roll of registered students for that particular class or any of her other classes.
“I would like to think that candidates running for political office have their constituents best interest in mind,” said Freeman. “Why Mr. Fabre choose to file a suit without checking or verifying the facts first is just unbelievable to me.”
The law firm representing Scott and Buckley was The Fabre’ Porter Law Center in Ethel. Joel G. Porter, a partner at the firm, is an opponent running against Fields in the October 20 19th District Court Judge.
Freeman was found of no wrong doing and has agreed to cancel the democratic process exercises for her class this semester.
“I think the move was politically motivated because it is ironic that the students who filed the suit weren’t even in Ms. Freeman’s class,” said Wilson Fields.
Freeman stated that she did not know either of the students and wonders what was the motive behind the suit.
Dr. Raymond Lockett, chairman of the SU Department of History replied, “I believe that it was a case of injustice, a case where lawyers brought something to court without checking the facts. It was definitely politically inspired.”