Water into Wine by Lisa Mladinich
UPDATED (SEE BELOW):
The latest outrage involves two young girls being denied their constitutional rights to free speech. The sophomores, Brigid and Katie, tried to start pro-life clubs on their high school campuses in Fargo, North Dakota, and have been blocked by their School District for being too “controversial,” even though both schools support both Gay-Straight alliances and various Christian groups. Apparently, they realized that “controversial” wouldn’t hold up in court, so the District changed tactics and is attempting to block the pro-life clubs under the spurious classification, “outside agencies.”
The District decided to classify the pro-life clubs as “outside agencies” rather than approving them as official school clubs, meaning that the pro-life clubs cannot use the school name in their clubs’ names, cannot host events, and cannot put up posters at school to advertise or spread their message.
“Public schools are required by law to treat all student groups equally,” said Jocelyn Floyd, Associate Counsel of Thomas More Society. “However, the School District and administrators at Fargo North and Davies High Schools are treating pro-life students as second class citizens, forcing them to abide by a policy that was designed to protect students from exploitation by businesses, not to censor the students’ own free speech.”
If you’d like to join me in sending a message of encouragement to these two brave girls, who are experiencing a great deal of resistance from all sides and standing up to aggressive scrutiny , please follow this link.
UPDATE: (Shared with permission)
STUDENTS FOR LIFE CLUBS AT FARGO HIGH SCHOOLS RECEIVE OFFICIAL CLUB STATUS
Thomas More Society Wins Challenge to School District’s Denial of Pro-Life Clubs
(May 13, 2015 – Fargo, ND) – Fargo North and Davies High Schools have officially recognized two Students for Life Clubs organized by pro-life students Brigid O’Keefe and Katie McPherson. The approval came in response to a demand letter sent by the Thomas More Society on behalf of the students and Students for Life of America, challenging as unconstitutional the schools’ denial of the pro-life clubs.
“We are glad that the District and High School Administrators in Fargo have recognized the First Amendment rights of all students, including pro-life students,” said Jocelyn Floyd, Thomas More Society Associate Counsel. “High-schoolers do not lose their right to form clubs and speak their message just because they are pro-life. Rather, they should be encouraged to add their voices to the marketplace of ideas, as the pro-life students at Fargo North and Davies will now be able to do.”
At Fargo North, sophomore Brigid O’Keefe had submitted her application to start a Students for Life in February 2015. School administrators put Brigid and other prospective club members through extensive questioning, including questions about their religious affiliations, before denying the club.
At Davies High School, sophomore Katie McPherson had been trying to start a Students for Life club since September 2014. For months, the school administration would not even let her apply for her club to receive official status or assign a promised room for “unofficial” club meetings.
On April 8, 2015, Thomas More Society sent a letter to the School District, stating that the District’s refusal to officially recognize the pro-life clubs constituted a violation of the students’ rights under both the federal Equal Access Act and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. All students who wish to form non-curricular clubs must be treated equally, even if the clubs they wish to form are religious or political.
Both schools have now approved the pro-life clubs. Davies Teens for Life members already held their first meeting, and Brigid is planning the first Spartans for Life meeting for next week.
“I am happy and thankful that the school has approved our club,” said Brigid O’Keefe, a sophomore at Fargo North High. “We are thankful to the attorneys at Thomas More Society and to Students for Life of America for supporting all our efforts. We look forward to educating our fellow students on the beauty of life at all stages and offering assistance to those in need in our community. I am grateful to Fargo North for approving Spartans for Life, and we look forward to creating a thriving club at our school.”
“This victory should encourage any pro-life student to fight for the right to start a Students for Life club at her school,” said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America. “It is often in high school that the first fires of pro-life activism are kindled. Brigid and Katie are great examples of courage, standing up for their pro-life beliefs and fighting to protect the rights of the preborn.”
More information about this story here [LINK: https://www.thomasmoresociety.org/school-district-discriminates-against-pro-life-clubs/]
For interviews with Attorney Jocelyn Floyd of the Thomas More Society, contact Tom Ciesielka, TC Public Relations: 312-422-1333, [email protected].
For interviews with Students for Life of America or with Brigid or Katie, contact Kristina Hernandez: [email protected], 908-902-8473.
About the Thomas More Society
Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm that exists to restore respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, the Society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.www.thomasmoresociety.org
About Students for Life of America
Students for Life of America (SFLA) is the nation’s largest pro-life youth organization and currently serves more than 850 groups in college, high schools, and medical schools across the United States. Students for Life seeks to create a culture where those most affected by abortion are empowered and equipped to recruit their peers to join our human rights movement, save lives on the front lines, lead local and national initiatives, and provide tangible resources while supporting those facing an unplanned pregnancy. www.studentsforlife.org
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Here are some pink lilies in honor of two brave girls!
Blessings of the Resurrection to Brigid and Katie!
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