Ten students at an Ohio public high school recently learned that voicing your pro-life beliefs can be a tricky proposition.
As in similar cases across the country over the last few years, officials in the Anthony Wayne Local School District told the students that they must either take off the shirts, turn them inside-out or face stiff penalties, including suspension.
The students wore the pro-life T-shirts to class on April 21 to mark the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. Kristen Norman, one of the pro-life students, told Toledo's WTOL that the participating young people were willing to face the penalties, but district officials added on more punishments.
'We were told we would not be able to go to our senior prom, would not be able to participate in senior skip days, go to a senior picnic or walk at graduation,' Kristen, a senior, said.
They learned a tough lesson: taking a stand often comes with a price.
The students' T-shirts were admittedly pointed. The front of the shirts read: 'Abortion is Murder.' The back of the shirts read: 'You will not silence my message / You will not mock my God / You will stop killing my generation.' But the message is important.
The T-shirts are distributed by Rock for Life (www.rockforlife.org
My dad heavily promoted the National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day in his National Liberty Journal newspaper and in other venues during the latter part of his life. He was excited about it, understanding the importance of continually raising up new generations of young people who recognize that abortion is the taking of innocent life.
I too see this effort as an essential part of the pro-life movement. It is imperative that we teach our young people the importance of protecting and defending life, especially among the weakest of us.
That's why this situation puzzles me. I would think that schools would value having students who are socially involved and attempting to positively impact their culture. Sadly, political correctness punishes such efforts because they counter the 'mainstream' viewpoint. Apparently, there is no room for individuality at many public schools.
As for the ten Ohio students, I see them as important culture warriors who were willing to take a stand against the mainstream. Thankfully, they are receiving some legal help. Kristen and her friends have been referred to the Thomas More Law Center, a pro-life law firm that specializes in protecting civil liberties.
ALL's staff attorney, Andrew Flusche, said, 'We commend these courageous students for standing up to bullying by their school administrators for simply voicing their pro-life beliefs. When students become excited about life, schools should support that.'
Mr. Flusche noted that the High Court 'consistently protects the First Amendment rights of students, even inside the classroom. To force students to take off pro-life shirts, the school must have evidence that the shirts actually disrupt discipline in the school. I have spoken with the students involved and administrators told them that a single student claimed he was uncomfortable with the pro-life T-shirts. That clearly does not meet the constitutional standard.'
My prayers go with these ten students. I salute them for being willing to step into the fires of controversy because they desired to play a part in protecting human life.
NOTE: Young people wishing to learn more about National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day can visit this website: http://www.nationalprolifetshirtday.com/
