A student who had been suspended for posting materials at a California high school to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement after anti-ICE protests has reportedly gotten some welcome news.
Parents at Torrey Pines High School received a letter in February notifying them of the suspension of the student, a junior, for violating the school’s rule against “conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.”
‘The law is clear: Public schools must allow students to peacefully express their political opinions.’
The message on the flyers simply read, “I Love ICE from Real Americans,” according to the letter. A screenshot of the letter was posted to social media and quickly went viral in defense of the student, who was not publicly identified.
The media attention led the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression to take up the student’s cause. On Wednesday, the organization said the district had expunged the suspension.
“We’re pleased the school has erased the suspension and will be watching closely to ensure the school respects its students’ First Amendment rights,” FIRE supervising senior attorney Conor Fitzpatrick said in a statement given to Blaze News. “The law is clear: Public schools must allow students to peacefully express their political opinions.”
FIRE also claimed that some of the students in an anti-ICE walkout at the school on February 6 had used aggressive and obscene messages against federal officers.
“If You’re an I.C.E. Agent Ya Mom’s a Hoe!!,” “F**k ICE,” and “ICE is KKK spelled differently” were some of the alleged examples cited by FIRE.
The school said that the walkouts were not sanctioned and that any student who left campus could be marked truant.
In an email statement to Blaze News, the San Dieguito Union High School District denied disciplining any student for their political viewpoint but did not confirm or deny the expungement.
“In general, student discipline matters are confidential under state and federal law, and the District cannot discuss details regarding any individual student or disciplinary action,” the district said.
Soon after the pro-ICE student’s suspension made national headlines, the principal of the school resigned from his position, leading many to suspect that he left to avoid further criticism.
The district said in an email statement to Blaze News that his retirement was unrelated to the controversy.
“School administrators can’t pick and choose which opinions students are allowed to express,” Fitzpatrick added. “Voicing an opinion which makes others upset is not ‘harassment’ or ‘intimidation,’ it is American democracy in action.”
Editor’s note: This article has been edited after publication to include a statement from the school district.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Torrey pines high school, Pro-ice poster, Student suspended for ice support, Suspension expunged, Politics
