New York teachers sue over ban on campaign buttons

Breitbart ^ | Oct 10, 2008 | LARRY NEUMEISTER

[RDTF]

NEW YORK (AP) - The teachers' union for the nation's largest public school system accused the city on Friday of banning political campaign buttons and sued to reverse the policy, declaring that free speech rights were violated.

United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten announced at a news conference that a lawsuit had been filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to challenge the enforcement of the policy.

"We couldn't believe it," said Weingarten, who wore a Barack Obama lapel button. The American Federation of Teachers, including its UFT delegates, voted over the summer to endorse Obama's presidential candidacy.

-snip-

[rickmichaels]

...who wore a Barack Obama lapel button.

Wow. What amazing courage.

[EDINVA]

wait till the first student shows up with a McCain/Palin t-shirt. S/he will be sent home and you KNOW get an F in classes.

[thile44]

Wow that’s a surprise, she was wearing. an Obama button.

[Ugot2Bkidding]

The teachers' union for the nation's largest public school system accused the city on Friday of banning political campaign buttons and sued to reverse the policy, declaring that free speech rights were violated.

Noooooooo You call Obama the "messiah" so that's religion and that would violate separation of church and state. Remember.........

[Evil Slayer]

Beat me to it. LOL

[weegee]

It’s not like it is an American FLAG < gasp >.

[jonsie]

It is against our policy in our State, however, some teachers in my school sport the Obama buttons and one teacher wore a shirt with Obama written across it. The principal, an AA knows the policy but lets it occur. My husband told me that I should not wear a McCain button or anything else as I would realize the worst class schedule next year. It is sad, but he is right. I would lose and sometimes it is hard to fight such a dem system.

[weegee]

You won’t be able to get out from under the thumb of Obama and State.

[RepublitarianRoger2]

I don’t want to hear personal political views from any teacher, no matter what side of the aisle he/she is on. I don’t even care if it’s a Political Science class. I know it occurs all the time from this overwhelmingly liberal dem system, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. This lawsuit should be thrown out; it’s not a free speech issue. It is a matter of what is appropriate in the context of one’s position and place.

Oh, and forgive me for having some more anagram fun, but...

Randi Weingarten = indignant wearer (of an Obama button...of course)

Randi Weingarten = twig inna rear end

[SamuraiScot]

The teachers' union for the nation's largest public school system accused the city on Friday of banning political campaign buttons and sued to reverse the policy, declaring that free speech rights were violated.

Inasmuch as we're talking about a public school and a candidate of the Democratic Party, I'm guessing the City thought wearing buttons violated the boundary between church and state.

[Publius6961]

Stupid lib BUMP!

[xkaydet65]

The day after the UFT wins in court my button will be front and center and designed to anger the vast majority of my co workers.

YOU CAN'T BE

A PATRIOT

AND VOTE

DEMOCRATIC!!!!!

[stentorian conservative]

Does your button read democrat or Democratic? Bid difference there, methinks.

[Archon of the East]

Yea and wear a McCain pin and lose tenure.

[xkaydet65]

I have to use Democratic, even though DemocratParty is the preferred name among thinking folks. My colleagues wouldn’t get it.

[Lexinom]

I’ll say. In New York, no less!!!

[Lexinom]

Forgiven.

twig inna rear end L0L!

[Intolerant in NJ]

...declaring that free speech rights were violated...no, among other issues it is a matter of avoiding a hostile learning environment for those pupils who might not agree with these teachers, something I'm sure all good teachers would want to avoid........