Students Fight For Right to Express Pro-Life Message in Public Schools

ANN ARBOR, MI - Over twenty-five students around the country during the past school year have sought assistance from the Thomas More Law Center because they were prevented by school officials from wearing pro-life clothing. The Law Center, a national, public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Rock For Life, a division of the American Life League in Stafford, Virginia, have been collaborating to promote the constitutional right of students to express their pro-life message in the nation's public schools.

Rock For Life distributes t-shirts and sweatshirts that display such messages on the front as "Abortion is Homicide" and "Abortion is Mean." On the back of these shirts is the following: "You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life." Rock For Life has distributed thousands of these shirts over the past few years. Students have purchased the shirts at Rock For Life concerts and from its website: www.rockforlife.org.

Students purchasing these shirts also receive a letter from the Thomas More Law Center explaining in general terms their constitutional right to express a pro-life message in public school. According to Chief Counsel, Richard Thompson, "Should a school official prohibit a student from wearing a Rock For Life shirt, the Law Center will represent that student at no charge". Edward White, Associate Counsel with the Thomas More Law Center, explained, "A student has a free speech right in school to advance a pro-life message. These messages are designed to cause people to think about the subject of abortion. And schools should welcome, not prohibit, critical thinking about the important issue of abortion."

According to Bryan Kemper, director of Rock For Life, "The youth of today have been directly affected by the abortion holocaust. One-third of their generation is missing, gone from decriminalized abortion. They have a legal right in public high schools to peacefully express the fact that abortion is homicide."

The Thomas More Law Center defends the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. The Center provides its services at no charge, and depends on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations for financial support. The IRS recognizes the Center as a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. You may contact the Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit its website at www.thomasmore.org   .