On September 10th, 2025, Dr. Tom Alter, a respected and tenured professor of history at Texas State University, was fired for remarks he made at a socialist conference in his capacity as a private citizen.
He was fired without due process, a clear violation of both Texas State University policy and Texas state law. Alter is a published labor historian, a popular teacher and adviser, a proud union member, a father of two, and a socialist activist.
Texas State University’s actions represent a blatant attack on Dr. Alter’s First Amendment right to free speech. It is a political move to suppress progressive and leftist thought on campuses. His firing and the stripping away of his and his family’s livelihood is a chilling reminder of the attacks waged on campuses around the country. Alter’s firing constitutes an attack on his fundamental civil liberties, and represents a threat to the democratic rights of all working people.
The Committee to Defend Tom Alter demands his immediate reinstatement to his tenured teaching position at Texas State University. We fight for the right of Alter and people everywhere to speak out in support of socialism, the defense of Palestine, LGBTQIA and trans advocacy, anti-racism, and social justice. We are prepared to resist these very real threats by higher education and federal/state government institutions.
We call on individuals and organizations of conscience everywhere to join our campaign. If Tom Alter can be fired from his job without due process and be denied his constitutionally-protected right to free speech, this can happen to any of us.
Dear Comrade and Friend,
Tom Alter is undertaking a formal appeal of his firing at Texas State. On November 10 a subcommittee of the Texas State Board of Regents will meet in preliminary review of his case for appeal. On November 20 and 21, the Board will meet to rule on his appeal.
We need to influence this decision and help Tom win his appeal. We are writing today to ask you to send a personalized version of one of the letters linked below to the Texas State University Board of Regents.
If you are a supporter from the community at large, please click, personalize, and send the “Civil Society letter”
If you are an academic in higher education, we ask that you click, personalize, and send the “Academic letter”.
We need a large-scale pressure campaign on Texas State University (TXST) before the November 10th hearing.
We also ask that you call each of the numbers listed in the linked letters and demand they reinstate DR. TOM ALTER!
Thank you for supporting Tom Alter.
In solidarity,
Committee to Defend Tom Alter
CIVIL SOCIETY LETTER OF SUPPORT
CLICK BELOW TO PERSONALIZE AND SEND
ACADEMIC LETTER OF SUPPORT
CLICK BELOW TO PERSONALIZE AND SEND
DONATE
SIGN THE STATEMENT
SIGN AND SHARE PETITION
GET INVOLVED
OAH STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
TEXAS AFT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
AAUP STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
TSU CHAPTER OF AAUP
ACADEMIC FREEDOM ALLIANCE
HIGHER ED LABOR UNITED
TSEU CWA LOCAL 6186
LAWCHA STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
CANADIAN COMMITTEE ON LABOR HISTORY
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
SOCIALIST HISTORY SOCIETY
PRESS CONFERENCE 10/6/25
INTERVIEW WITH LEFT RECKONING
INTERVIEW WITH EDGE OF SPORTS 10-20-25
INTERVIEW OCTOBER 12, 2025
