Xandy+C+2A

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http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/25/free.speech/

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Morse Vs. Frederick

In 2002, Joseph Frederick displayed a banner during the Olympic torch relay across from his High School, saying “Bong Hits 4 Jesus”. In turn, his Principal, Deborah Morse, suspended him for a week. It was said to be a school event, as the students were permitted to leave classes to see the event of the Torch passing. Frederick, who was late for school that day, waited for the television cameras to pass by, when he and several friends unfurled the banner, reading “Bong Hits 4 Jesus”. Principal Morse ran across the street and seized it, and suspended Frederick for five days for violating the school’s anti-drug use policy. She then suspended Frederick for five more days after he quoted Thomas Jefferson, when the Assistant Principle said something to the effect of: “The Bill of Rights does not exist in schools and does not take effect until after graduation.” Deborah Morse quotes the Assistant Principle as saying he "made some remark to the effect that students do not have the same first amendment rights as adults." Frederick appealed to the Superintendent, who shortened his suspension to eight days. Then Frederick talked to the Juneau school board, who upheld the suspension. On April 25th, 2002, Joseph Frederick filed a lawsuit against Morse and the School Board, claiming that they infringed upon his constitutional right to free speech.


 * Adolescent View:** Joseph Frederick states getting suspended was an infringement upon his constitutional right to free speech. His appeals to the Superintendent and the School Board were not heard, so he took it to court. He filed a civil rights lawsuit against the school, and sought a Monetary relief (compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, etc), a Declaratory relief (A declaration that his first amendment rights had been violated), and an Injunctive relief (to remove the suspension record). Although the first amendment rights are somewhat limited in public schools and for minors, Frederick was 18 at the time, and on a public sidewalk when he unfurled the ‘sophomoric’ banner. He was not on school property. Frederick is legally entitled to all of his first amendment rights.


 * The School's View:** The school argues that since students (and their teachers) got to leave class for the passing of the Olympic Torch, it was a school-sanctioned event. The School claims that Frederick was promoting illegal drug use, at a school event.