Thursday, May 15, 2008

Free Speech for Students

This time, it's about students and stickers.

17 year old Heather Gillman, a junior at Ponce De Leon High School has won her suit against the school’s principal and the Holmes County School Board. She says the school forbids students from wearing clothing or putting stickers on their books that show support for the fair treatment of gays and lesbians. Gillman says that’s a violation of her First Amendment Rights.

In day two of court, School Board Superintendent Steve Griffin took the stand. He said the District did not restrict homosexual slogans and symbols until they caused a disturbance in school, thus violating School Board policy.

You'd think after nearly 40 years of Tinker that school districts would realize you can't infringe upon students' right to free speech. But maybe after the muddled Bong Hits 4 Jesus case, they don't really get it.

Students still have the right to express themselves, even if the school district disagrees.