By Ann Marie Shambaugh
A pro-life poster that Carmel High School officials removed in November is once again on display.
After weeks of discussions between Carmel Clay Schools officials and representatives of the CHS Teens for Life Club, CCS reversed its decision and allowed the students to rehang the poster for 10 consecutive school days beginning Feb. 23.
“Our decision to allow the sign to return is not the school’s endorsement of the message any more than our decision to remove the sign was the school’s rejection of that message,” stated David Day, general counsel for the CCS Board of Education, in a press release. “While we believe our decision to remove the sign can be supported if challenged in court, we prefer to use the time and resources of the school district focusing on education, not litigation.”
The poster features hearts representing 3,000 abortions that occur each day and the word “Abortion” with the “b” and “r” replaced with “d” and “p” to spell “Adoption.” School officials removed and discarded the poster after a student complained it was offensive. The Teens for Life club members have recreated the poster for display.
Liberty Counsel, a legal advocacy group, agreed to represent the club after the poster was removed and threatened a lawsuit against Carmel Clay Schools.
“Carmel High School officials engaged in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and undoubtedly violated the Carmel Teens for Life members’ free speech by throwing away their sign,” stated Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, in a press release. “Not only did they censor protected speech, they threatened students with retaliation if they sought legal counsel. The school officials were clearly wrong in this case. But, with Liberty Counsel’s help, the students have secured the right to hang their sign, which they had a right to do all along. Despite what the school district now claims, the students always followed the rules and would have won in court.”
CCS stated that it removed the poster because school officials did not believe it met club signage guidelines and had not received the appropriate administrative approval. Club members dispute that, stating on their Facebook page Feb. 22 that they “did follow guidelines and gain prior required approval beforehand.”
CHS has since clarified its signage rules and the approval process. Clubs are allowed to advertise their meetings on signs but are not permitted to promote an agenda or cause.
The Teens for Life faculty sponsor has stepped down from the club, and another high school teacher has volunteered to serve as club sponsor.
