Military Bias Alleged in School System

[unhappycamper]

Military Bias Alleged in School System
January 07, 2009
Associated Press

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. - The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against a rural North Carolina school system that barred a peace activist from talking to high school students about alternatives to joining the military.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, says the Wilkes County school district and its superintendent violated the First Amendment by preventing Sally Ferrell from distributing pamphlets and other materials that warn students to think twice before joining the military.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ferrell and Bill Towe, director of N.C. Peace Action.

"We've tried to find another alternative to bringing this lawsuit," Katherine Parker, legal director of the ACLU's North Carolina chapter, said Tuesday. "They just will not compromise."

The legal group is asking a judge to issue an injunction to allow Ferrell, a member of N.C. Peace Action, to distribute the materials and give her the same access to students as military recruiters who are allowed in the schools.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/military-bias-alleged-in-school-system.html?col=1186032310810

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Unfortunately, I don't think they have a case.

Because of the way the No Child Left Behind laws were written, public schools MUST give military recruiters access to fresh meat students. The schools have no choice, and they are not the ones allowing anything.

I don't think a free speech action will get very far.

[rakeeb]

2. considering the fact that about 4.1 million Americans

turned 18 last year, and about 180,000 Americans between the age of 18 and 40 entered active duty last year, it would seem that everyone is pretty much already aware of "alternatives to joining the military."