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.

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. The Center provides its services at no charge, and is dependent upon individual donations, foundations, and corporations for financial support. The IRS recognizes the Center as a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. You may contact the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit its website at

www.thomasmore.org .
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Thomas More Law Center is funded by the generous contributions of individuals, corporations, and foundations. To contribute online via our secure online transaction form, please visit:

http://www.thomasmore.org/index.cfm?location=9&subsectionid=2
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please do not respond to this message. For all other inquiries, please visit our website at

www.thomasmore.org or call 734-827-2001.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To automatically unsubscribe from this news service, please click the link below:

http://www.thomasmore.org/index.cfm?location=99&subsectionid=8&email=anderberg@softhome.net&task=Remove
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Copyright 2002 Thomas More Law Center.

[blackdog]

Actually, unless the student body is governed by a universal uniform dress code, a student should be able to wear any garment expressing any idea no matter how stupid it is.

Part of growing up is making stupid statements of which you know nothing about. I do it all the time and I'm in my 40's. It usually results in getting your arss kicked on the way home from school, flaming from fellow freepers, or a good talking to from someone more mature, not legal action.

[keats5]

Cool t-shirt message. Anyone know where I can buy some?

[M. Peach]

So you're suggesting that we should Freep Principal McCarthy?

Abington Junior High School
2056 Susquehanna Road
Abington, PA 19001
(215) 884-4700
FAX: (215) 517-2894
Attendance Office (215) 517-2890

Just in case anyone wanted to make a call....

[blackdog]

Private school is a bit more sane. Uniforms are a godsend, not a hardship. Uniforms threaten public schools. The parasites that feed there think that uniforms begin the slippery slope of actual performance, hence the loathing of them. No conservative nose under this public school tent thank you!

Three of four teachers send their kids to private schools though.......

[DoughtyOne]

The left just can't comprehend simple issues can they!

Hitler caused the deaths of something like 20 million humans. Abortionists have killed 40 million. The T-Shirt was aimed at ending the abortionists taking of human life.

Can someone tell me how that is Hitlarian? If anything it is diametricly opposed to the actions somewhat reminiscent of those Hitler caused.

This principle has lost touch with reality.

[Eva]

You must have missed my post. This is the school district where the atheist brought the law suit to end school prayer. The principle probably relates pro-life with religion. All religious observance is banned.

[nickcarraway]

That seems like a stretch. Your argument would also only apply if the principal didn't allow other message t-shirts.

[dark_lord]

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? Or those that are exercising their right to free education? One shouldn't need a uniform to get an education.

Well, depends on how a "uniform" is defined. For example, a school can define it such that boys have to wear plain blue long or short sleeved shirts, no tank tops or tee shirts. And plain blue or brown pants, worn waist above the hips and bottoms not touching the floor. Clothing may not have holes, any holes must be sewn up. No patches or iron-ons permitted. Similar concepts for girls.

Some schools have done this. Parents have to buy their kids clothes anyway, so this just specifies what is appropriate for school. So no, the government does not buy it.

The concept is it prevents gang colors, rude messages, and prevents wearing clothing provacatively. Plus - it makes it harder for the kids to separate into cliques based on the clothes they wear. Usually it is a good idea overall, when it is applied reasonably.

[Domestic Church]

Pennsylvania is where the NEA started. It is embedded deeply here. They are the real present day nazis.

[ELS]

Cool t-shirt message. Anyone know where I can buy some?

You can get Rock for Life merchandise over here. Rock for Life is part of American Life League.

[YoungKentuckyConservative]

Just sent my 3rd dontaion to Thomas Moore for helping us fight the good fight against the pukes on the left.

[eccentric]

Although I am 100% pro-life, I don't think public schools are the place for this issue to be forced onto students. We were required to debate the issue in class 30 years ago. But now I see that a girl who has had an abortion has no way to escape or protect herself from cruel attacks by other students.

[MEGoody]

"I don't think kids ought to wear messages, period, to school, and the school authorities ought to have discretion in what they allow kids to wear."

As long as the rule is applied to all opinions equally, I have no issue with this. It's when they try to shut up Christians and/or conservatives and/or any other single 'bunch' that it isn't fair.

[rwfromkansas]

A girl here at my college has a sweatshirt with a cool design of this in sweatshirt form, including a picture of a baby.

But, the shirts I found on this site do not have that for some reason (except for some sign pictures on the main page). They do have other designs with the message though: http://stores.yahoo.com/americanlifeleague/

[Edmund Burke]

I think uniforms are a good idea. This removes one element of distraction from the school. The kids will not be trying to out do each other over who has the coolest tennis shoes or jackets. The poorer students will not have to be embarrased about not being able to keep up with the latest clothing styles. And, it solves the political messages problem at the same time. The Catholic schools have done this for years.

[rwfromkansas]

If it caused an excess disruption in the school day, it would have been reasonable to ask her to turn it inside out.

This report indicates that it caused NO DISRUPTION WHATSOEVER.