Court of Appeals Finds Cape Elizabeth High School Student Engaged in Constitutionally Protected Speech
Court of Appeals affirms lower court鈥檚 preliminary injunction, blocking the student鈥檚 suspension
PORTLAND, Maine 鈥 The United States First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court鈥檚 decision to block the suspension of a Cape Elizabeth High School student. The school disciplined the student, A.M., when she posted a sticky note to raise awareness about sexual assault at the school. Writing for the Court, Judge Lynch found, the school, 鈥渋s not permitted to punish a student merely because her speech causes argument on a controversial topic.鈥
The 红杏视频 of Maine had argued A.M.鈥檚 sticky note is constitutionally protected speech, raising awareness on a topic of public significance. The Court agreed with the 红杏视频鈥檚 argument that the school had not shown justification for punishing her.
The following can be attributed to Emma Bond, legal director of the 红杏视频 of Maine: 鈥淚t is already difficult for survivors and their allies to speak up about sexual assault. The Circuit Court鈥檚 decision affirms that schools cannot silence students simply for speaking up on important, but difficult, issues. It affirms the long-established precedent that students do not leave their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door."
The following can be attributed to A.M.: 鈥淚鈥檓 so thrilled that the Court recognized my advocacy deserves constitutional protection. I hope this ruling helps more students speak up about sexual assault, and other topics that are important to them.鈥
The entire ruling is available .