Johnston Student Suspended Over Shirt

A student at Johnston High School was recently suspended for a shirt demanding free speech. 

The shirt read ‘what part of “shall not be infringed” do you not understand.’ The shirt also had a picture of an AR gun. The student was sent to the office and then suspended. After the suspension occurred, the student sued the school district.

The unnamed female student was in her government class the day before the incident occurred. On this day, her government teacher, Mr. Tom Griffin, gave a lecture on freedom of speech and First Amendment rights. The following day the unnamed student wore the t-shirt with the picture of an AR gun. This shirt quoted the Second Amendment. The day that the student was found wearing this shirt during her government class, Mr. Griffin stated that he would decide what speech was acceptable in the classroom and wouldn’t allow students to wear clothing that recites guns, alcohol or other inappropriate material. According to the lawsuit, Griffin also told his students “that they have limited rights when they step onto school property.” Mr. Griffin then sent the student to the office. After being sent to the office she was asked to change her shirt, but refused, so she was suspended for breaking the school’s dress code and the code of conduct although the unnamed student and her brother have both worn the shirt to school without being challenged by students, teachers, or other administrators.Technically, each student that wore the shirt should have been suspened each time the shirt was worn, according to the handbook.

The unnamed student and student’s family later decided to sue the school for breaking the First and Fourteenth Amendment, the First Amendment directly states in simple terms freedom of speech but a key part that is left out is that it also protects the press and assembly meaning the right to post, wear, say, or even do what you want to a certain extent. According to UScourts.gov, “The limits to the first amendment are to incite immediate law’s actions.” Any unlawful action is not supported by any amendment. Some may say the students shirt only citing the second amendment, does not have any promotion, any violence, or sustain, or disrupt, the work of the school, or invade the right of anyone. Although, the Johnston High School student handbook states, “Apparel promoting products illegal for minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct are disallowed” 

The student claimed that Johnston High School broke their First Amendment rights. The 14th Amendment was also brought in to play during the lawsuit. Also stated in the lawsuit is that the principal and vice principals asked if students felt threatened or uncomfortable in any type of way by the student wearing the shirt and all students said that they had no problem with it. The only person that had a problem with the student wearing the shirt was the government teacher. 

In addition, the superintendent of Johnston school district (Laura Kacer) resigned shortly after. She stated, “The challenges to working in public education are many.” There was no given reason as to why she is resigning besides the board seeking a difference in leadership.