Law Day 2011 High School Program

District Attorney Erica Parham, Soc. Studies Dept. Head Farela Howie, Principal Dr. Darla Hammond, Judge Linda Cartisano

Freshman Monique Alston, District Attorney Parham, Senior Martin Turner who has been featured on this blog, Judge Cartisano

Chester High School had its Law Day Program today. Judge Linda Cartisano and District Attorney Erica Parham of the Common Pleas Media Court House reiterated the theme “Freedom Rocks” for this year’s Law Day. The case they presented had issues relating to students’ freedom of speech rights at school. The case was based upon an actual case that took place within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was litigated in the federal courts. The case was prepared by Attorney David S. Daniel. Senior Martin Turner, pictured above, has been to the Supreme Court to observe a similar case. He shared this experience with us and commented that it was a good experience which has led him to consider a career in law.

Here is the case:

The case was about a high school senior named Donald with no history of a criminal record or history of disciplinary problems at school. He had several members of his family serving or served in the armed forces.  He has worn American flag lapel pins, yellow ribbon buttons and “support our troops” t-shirts to school to express his patriotism. “He was deeply affected by 911.” 

Donald’s uncle, in the armed forces, had given him a t-shirt. Donald wore it to school. “It contained an image of Elmer Fudd pointing a gun at a rabbit hole. Instead of Bugs Bunny, there was an image of Osama Bin Laden poking his head out of the rabbit hole. Written on the t-shirt was “Its Tewwowist Hunting Season”.  In the pocket of Elmer Fudd was a piece of paper titled “Terrorists Hunting License”.  

Because students complained to the principal that the t-shirt made them uncomfortable, the principal ordered Donald to remove the t-shirt. Donald refused saying he had a right to wear the t-shirt based on his constitutional rights. The principal suspended him on school policy that prohibits students from dressing in a manner that distracts from the educational environment. Donald’s parents sued the school district based on First Amendment rights to convey his political views. 

Students

Students were able to discuss the issues raised by the lawsuit and whether the case would be successful. The case was timely given the events this week with the finding and killing of Osama Bin Laden after a 10 year search for the destruction on 911. Students voiced their opinions and did an excellent job discussing the case.