Student's Pro-Life T-shirt Is Equivalent to the Swastika Says School Principal

Thomas More Law Center ^ | 01/27/03 | Thomas More Law Center

[That Subliminal Kid]

NEWS UPDATE

 

January 27, 2003

 

Student?s Pro-Life T-shirt Is Equivalent to the Swastika Says School Principal; Thomas More Law Center Enters Fray

 

ANN ARBOR, MI ? The mother of an honor student at Abington Junior High School in Pennsylvania was told by the principal that her son?s pro-life t-shirt was unacceptable school clothing because its message was the equivalent of the swastika.  The t-shirt displayed the messages, ?Abortion is Homicide.  You will not silence my message.  You will not mock my God.  You will stop killing my generation.  Rock for Life.?

 

This past November, the principal told the student to either cover the shirt or turn the shirt inside out.  After the student turned the shirt inside out, his mother contacted the principal and was told that the message was inappropriate to be displayed in school.  He said the shirt and message were the equivalent of a swastika being displayed on a shirt, which the principal would not allow in school.  The mother and son then contacted the Thomas More Law Center.

 

The Thomas More Law Center?s Associate Counsel Edward White sent a four-page demand letter to school officials explaining the student?s clearly established constitutional right to wear his pro-life clothing and demanding that the school take immediate action to provide written assurance that he will be permitted to wear his pro-life shirt to school.  The Law Center explained that the student?s speech did not cause any substantial and material disruptions to the workings of the school and that there was no legal basis on which to restrict his speech.  The Law Center also noted that the mother and son have the option of seeking relief in federal court should the school not change its decision.  The Law Center requested a response from the school officials by January 31, 2003.

 

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[rwfromkansas]

If a girl has an abortion, she should live with the consequences, including being reminded of it by having discussions of the issue in class. I am not saying she should be mocked or made fun of....or have it personalized for her, but sorry, if a teacher does not bring issues like this up for discussion in a social studies classroom, he is NOT doing his job. It is that simple.

[rwfromkansas]

True. Based upon my experience with the TMLC, I don't think they would lie, however. They are on our side and don't deserve to be attacked for no reason.

We should see what an article says if one comes out.

[rwfromkansas]

BTW, I consider it very weak of you to believe that abortion is something that only is worthy of discussion sometimes. I guess baby killing is only worth discussing at "convenient" times for you....

[CyberCowboy777]

And how would the "Law Center" know that the shirt was not disruptive? Were they there?

I am pretty sure the student wearing the shirt was.

[muawiyah]

That principal has swastikas on the mind. This condition is normally symptomatic of a mind-numbed, baby-killing Liberal. Why do they allow such people around young children?

[muawiyah]

That principal has swastikas on the mind. This condition is normally symptomatic of a mind-numbed, baby-killing Liberal. Why do they allow such people around young children?

[CyberCowboy777]

And the principle doesn't have an agenda? He couldn't have been lying?

The Student doesn't have a teacher witness or other students?

Were you there?

I give the TMLC the benefit of the doubt over a principle and a guy guessing over the internet, until I hear otherwise.

[rwfromkansas]

They may bully, but for the right reasons.

Look at the good they are doing with the Ten Commandments, actually offering free legal counsel and enough free posters for every school in an entire district if the school board gives the okay. They are doing much good.

[Alouette]

I don't agree that uniforms "threaten" public schools... it's just not a good idea. Who is going to provide those uniforms... the Government?

In Detroit Public Schools--the parents. The uniforms are a lot cheaper than the designer jeans and leather jackets that the kids would fight over and shoot each other for.

[CharacterCounts]

Their efforts mostly seem to rely on outspending the opposition and "winning" by attrition.

A perfect illustration of the ACLU.

[tutstar]

"Hopefully she tried other means of conflict resolution"......

Such as what?

I dare say it would be extremely rare for a parent to get a positive ending in today's political and social climate without seeking legal assistance.

What would you do? Do you have school age kids? Home school or Government or private school?

[ChemistCat]

Hey, I'm sure the principal is just hoping to relieve overcrowding in 14 years, and cut the number of pregnant students who sue him to be allowed to play tackle football with the boys.