Student sues high school for prohibiting pro-life shirt

[The Straight Story]

Student sues high school for prohibiting pro-life shirt

Buffalo, May. 12, 2005 (CNA) - A junior at Fillmore Central High School near Buffalo, N.Y, has filed a federal lawsuit against his school district for forcing him to remove his pro-life shirt.

The Thomas More Law Center and the American Catholic Lawyers Association are representing the student, arguing that the school's decision violated the student's right to free speech.

In October 2004, Kevin Dibble wore a shirt expressing his view that abortion is wrong. The shirt read: "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."

Despite the fact that Dibble had worn the same shirt previously, the school principal, Kyle Faulkner, told the teen that the message was offensive and wearing the shirt was prohibited. When Dibble asserted his constitutional rights, he was suspended for the day.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=3874

[nebula]

1. what a fucking wackjob

[tuvor]

2. But he has a right to be a fucking wackjob.

Just like the kids with the Marilyn Manson t-shirts.

http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=13472

ON EDIT: I stand corrected. I misread that the Marilyn Manson fan in the link above was allowed to exercise his free speech by way of a t-shirt. Unfortunately, I see now that his freedom of speech was stifled.

Okay, as long as everyone else can't speak their mind, I guess it's okay.

[Syncronaut Seven]

3. If the message fails the reality test

just shove it down peoples throats, they wont mind. Anyone squawks hit 'em with the old persecution stick, that'll learn them!

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. I find the abortion part less objectionable than the...

"you will not mock my God" part. "Abortion is homicide" is an opinion, misguided and inaccurate though it may be.

The "mock" part is a bit more ominous.It challenges my right to free speech. It also implies a threat... though the threat is not specified.

I will mock who and what I please, thanks.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

5. Good for him.

I don't agree with what he says, but if the school is allowing students to wear T-shirts with other slogans on (as it appears from the article they are, although it doesn't make it as clear as it might) then I will defend to the death his right to say it (well, not to the death, because I'm lazy, but to the "posting on an internet discussion board", at any rate).

If other slogans have/had been prohibited I'd side with the school, but if it's just this one then I think he's absolutely right.