Some Schools Need Lesson in the 1st Amendment

http://www.aclj.org/TrialNotebook/Read.aspx?ID=952

There's a troubling number of incidents that have surfaced recently in public schools - putting the constitutional rights of students at risk.

In one California school district, several students were sent home by school officials for wearing shirts emblazoned with the American flag on Cinco de Mayo. That's right - the American flag - not welcomed in this public school.

In another California school, a teacher objected to a 7th grade student's art project after the student did a rendering of the American flag that included the words 'God Bless America.' That was unacceptable to the teacher who called it 'offensive.'

And in Texas, a student was suspended for taking down a Mexican flag in school saying the flag was posted higher than the American flag.

It's clear that there are some school districts that need a lesson in the First Amendment.

The fact is that the U.S. Constitution provides students with broad rights protecting their freedom of speech and expression. And that includes displaying the American flag.

We've been dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of students since our inception. And, we've had great success in defending the rights of students - and sometimes that has meant going to court, even the Supreme Court where we've secured important victories.

We will be sending a Demand Letter to the schools mentioned above and every school district in America - a letter warning schools not to trample on the First Amendment rights of students.

Now, you can stand with us and send a message to school districts nationwide. Add your name now to our Demand Letter urging school districts to respect the First Amendment rights of students.