Instead, he was sent to the principal’s office because one teacher though the message may be inappropriate. The principal agreed, believing that someone might get offended. He was ordered to wear his t-shirt inside out so that his message wouldn’t pollute the school. Breathtaking. However, in light of school policies that prohibit speech involving a religious point of view or that give school officials discretion to determine what’s “inappropriate,” it’s not surprising.

The Independence Law Center, in cooperation with the Alliance Defense Fund, have brought suit on behalf of the student to bring about a change in policy. Our hope is that this suit will cause other school districts to reevaluate their policies so that truly harmful speech can be limited without stopping the core political and religious speech of students.

In criminal court, the demonstrators were vindicated of any wrongdoing. However, one of the officers who arrived on the scene confronted the police chief, telling him that he was violating the demonstrators’ rights. The chief was not open to such counsel and immediately relieved the law-abiding officer of his duties. He was later suspended from his job without pay. While he’s back at his job, he now has a black mark on his record that may prevent him from being promoted. Furthermore, he faces termination if he ever fails to follow an order in the future-no matter how unconstitutional the order. We send the wrong message to law enforcement if they are forced, at pain of losing their jobs, with obeying even unlawful orders. We also send the wrong message when speaking out in defense of the rights of others can cause police to lose their jobs. Despite requests to make things right with the officer, the university and their police chief have not backed down.

The Independence Law Center was in court on Monday, October 5, to argue against a Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit. We are hopeful that the judge will allow the case to move forward.

The United States Supreme Court has been clear in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640 (2000), that private groups have the right to associate with whom they wish. The Boy Scouts need not allow homosexual scout leaders. In the same way, a private organization, particularly a religious organization, need not open up its facilities for a ceremony that is contrary to their mission and beliefs.

Police, paid for and directed by Planned Parenthood, arrested one pro-lifer for merely entering a public alleyway in order to hand a piece of literature to someone going to the clinic. Another was threatened with arrest for walking while holding a sign in the alley.

The Court recognized that core speech and religious rights were at stake and questioned whether there could be any justification for keeping the pro-life counselors out of the alley, particularly in light of the access given to others. Following the decision, the City agreed to a full settlement of the cases. “We are grateful for the victories,” said the Independence Law Center’s Randall Wenger who argued the cases. “Pro-life counselors should not be denied access to a public place because of who they are or what they stand for. Our hope is that these cases will bring about changes so that pro-life counselors are no longer harassed outside of this or other clinics.”