On Oct. 15, 2024, former editor-in-chief of The Mercury, Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez, received an email from the University of Texas at Dallas administration saying he was under investigation for discrimination.

This was the day he knew he would have to pursue legal action against the college.

Olivares Gutierrez, a current UTD student, filed a lawsuit against the school's administration last week for free speech and press freedom violations.