Student Sues School After Refusal To Permit Participation In Pro-Life Day

A Bridgeton, New Jersey high school student has sued the school board and high school officials alleging that they censored religious, pro-life speech at school on Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. Yesterday the AP reported on the lawsuit in which the student alleged that school officials refused her request to participate in the nationally-sponsored day. She wanted to hand out leaflets, remain silent except when called on in class, and wear a red armband with the word "LIFE" written on it. The complaint (full text) in C.H. v. Bridgeton Board of Education, (D NJ, filed 11/13/2009), alleges that school officials told the high schooler that her request was denied because nothing religious is permitted at public schools. It claims that the school's policies and practices violate various provisions of the 1st and 14th Amendments. After the suit was filed, school superintendent Vic Gilson said that the student's request was denied because the armband would violate the school's strict dress code and because a school policy required prior approval of any literature distributed by students or staff.