(Atlantic) Today the ACLU of Iowa sent a letter to the Atlantic Public School Board advising it to not adopt any policy that would unconstitutionally restrict students’ rights to protest.
On May 10th Leanne Pellett addressed the board, concerned about student protests regarding anti-LBTGQ legislation. Pellett urged the board to adopt a “protest policy” to prohibit any student demonstration unless it’s outside of educational instruction time and not on school property.
ACLU Staff Attorney Thomas Story said political speech, including protest, is given the strongest protection by our state and federal constitutions. Story said the suggested policy in Atlantic would clearly infringe on its students’ constitutional rights. Story also noted that as of right now, the Atlantic School Board has done nothing more than listen to a constituent’s concern and that is, of course, appropriate.
The ACLU is sending the letter to Atlantic immediately before its scheduled June 14th meeting to inform the board why it should decline to adopt any such policy. At this time, the Atlantic School Board Agenda does not note an action item regarding such a policy.
