Indiana teen wins M-16 T-shirt case

Fort Wayne Community Schools officials violated a high school student's free-speech rights when they suspended him for wearing a T-shirt bearing the likeness of an M-16 rifle and the text of the Marine Corps creed, a federal court ruled on March 11.

The district suspended Nelson Griggs in 2003 for violating a provision of the school dress code that prohibits students from wearing clothing depicting "symbols of violence."


















http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=14969

I can't believe the schools continue to do shit this stupid.

there were incidents about 10-15 years ago with kids in D.C. wearing bootleg shirts with guns and slogans glorifying street violence...I'm pretty sure those shirts were banned without too much arguement

If it was a picture depicting violence, shouldn't be allowed, but just a gun would be OK. Of course, pictures of nude statues is OK too (many schools it isn't due to nudity). Violence masquerading as nudity is not OK (rape, people as dehumanized sex objects). Just a gun and a Marine corps creed? I wouldn't want anyone I know wearing it, but it is OK free speech.

First, I think the free speech rights of students are being violated left and right. So it is nice to see that one student has won.

So, I agree with the principle of the decision, but not with the substance. If an M16 is not a symbol of violence, I really don't know what it is. I think it is the weapon of issue for the MC, right? If so it is meant to kill, and is undoubtedly a symbol of violence. So from this decision one can conclude:

a) An M16 IS a symbol of violence, but a permitted one

or

b) An M16 IS NOT a symbol of violence.

How are they going to enforce any other rules against symbols of violence is really hard to imagine.

Finally, I would like to ask the following question: would they have been so "open minded" if instead of an M16 it would have been an AK47 and instead of the creed of the MC it would have been a jihadi creed?

Just wondering..

but if rules are going to exist against violent t shirts, then enforce them correctly. there is no way a shirt with an ak47 and a jihad creed would be deemed acceptable (I highly doubt it anyways). I hate hypocrisy more than anything, at least the fascists could remain consistent.

To me freedom of speech is one of the most important things. The way students are treated in school this days turns them into sheep. When they grow up they are willing to take anything from authority.

with said here in california students have no rights. That was his opinion. Locker searchs, whatever, kids have no rights like this in public schools.

I was so ticked off by this.

Back in my home country. I did most of my high school during a military dictatorship. I bet the feeling was pretty much the same.

he did wear it at his HS while visiting there. His former English teacher said he might be in trouble if he were still a student there.

that violence (or it's depiction) is OK as long as it has the US military behind it. Otherwise - it would be illegal.

"School officials objected in particular to a part of the text on the shirt that read, "I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me," the document said."

If he's the tough guy that he thinks he is.