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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[A. Pole]

I assume you noted that I was being sarcastic, I had no idea about the history of abortion in Poland and how it relates to the Nazi's - but I would be interested in learning more, do you know of any good books on this topic?

This is a popular knowledge in Poland. Poles were struck by the contrax between severe penalties for abortion done for German women with the premissivness and encouragement for abortion of Polish babies. I did not read any book on that topic, but I made Internet search and it seems that this title might be good: Poland Under NAZI Occupation

[The South Park Republican]

This principal is an idiot.

But...

I've seen a number of "Pro-Lifers" on this forum acting somewhat close to Nazis. They condemn any woman who has ever had an abortion for any reason as a murderer, they spew their propaganda about the so-called "Abortion Industry", and they condone the killing of abortion clinic workers.

They don't change hearts and minds with that crap, they just give ammunition to idiots like this principal.

[Notwithstanding]

As I said, you are wholly ignorant of the applicable law.
The school backed down. TMLC wins again.

---

School backs off claim that Pro-life Message = Swastika; Ban on Student’s Pro-Life Clothing Lifted
Wed, Jan 29, 2003

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center declared victory today, after school officials at Abington Junior High School in Abington, Pennsylvania, abandoned their decision to censor a student’s pro-life message. The school principal had earlier ordered the student’s pro-life t-shirt turned inside out because it was equivalent to the display of a swastika.



Responding to a demand letter from the Law Center, attorneys for the school district agreed that the student “has a First Amendment right to wear the pro-life shirt,” and asked that the letter serve as written assurance of that fact. 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.”



Thomas More Law Center Attorneys had sent a four-page letter challenging the school policy, and demanded that the school take immediate action to provide written assurance that the student be permitted to wear the 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.



Edward L White III, Associate Counsel with the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “Too often public school officials forget that the First Amendment protects student pro-life messages. We are pleased that the school has quickly corrected its mistake and has acknowledged our client’s First Amendment right to wear the pro-life t-shirt to school.”



The Thomas More Law Center defends the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. The Law Center provides its services at no charge, and depends on individual donations, foundations, and corporations for financial support. The IRS recognizes the Law Center as a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. You may contact the Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit its website at www.thomasmore.org.

[Bryan]

Well done.

[Bryan]

"As I said, you are wholly ignorant of the applicable law." Not to mention the applicable science. But that's another thread.

[Notwithstanding]

Warning people of your liberal homosexual activist nature is no ad hominem attack, rather it is simply warning us that you are unarmed but dangerous.

[Notwithstanding]

And yet you have never demonstrated your own claim. Tut, tut.

[Notwithstanding]

At least we know 3 things about you: your time is limited, you are unarmed, and you are dangerous.

[Notwithstanding]

No, I already have the address for DNC/RainbowCoalition/NOW headquarters.