A conservative legal group has filed a lawsuit against a California high school after it denied recognition to a student pro-life club.
On Monday, the Alliance Defense Fund filed a complaint on behalf of a student who maintains that officials at Westmont High School are blocking her efforts to establish and promote a pro-life club. The suit alleges that the high school and the Campbell Union High School District are discriminating against the student by refusing to grant the club the same access to privileges the other student groups on campus receive. Lawyers representing the student by the initials of P.A. want the school to overturn its policy.
“Public schools should recognize the constitutional rights of pro-life students just as they do for all other students,” said ADF lawyer David Cortman.
“The high school is clearly engaging in viewpoint discrimination when it denies this pro-life group the right to the same privileges extended to other student groups. Schools cannot deny student clubs these privileges just because not everyone agrees with the message.”
While the pro-life club is allowed to meet on campus, it was denied the official recognition status given to other clubs on campus, the suit contends.
The lawsuit also states that the club was barred access to promotional avenues through public address announcements, the school website and bulletin boards, among other means.
The student submitted a request to the school in October to start the "Live Action - Pro Life Club." Students of the pro-life club would meet to discuss community service, sexual abstinence, human rights issues, and keeping and raising children in the event of pregnancy, according to the suit.
But the plaintiff claims that officials rejected the name because the message it contained was "too controversial." The club currently goes by the name "Live Action."
Meanwhile, the school has recognized clubs involving chess, gay rights, break dancing and sci/fi horror movies. A Christian Club is also listed as one of the student groups operating at the school.
“It’s our hope that the court will grant our motion for immediate relief so that these students can tell others about their club,” said Cortman.
“The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled time and time again that this type of discrimination is unconstitutional and this lawsuit is intended to bring the school district in compliance with the law.”
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Even if the child is given up for adoption, at least it has been given the chance to live. Which is more than you can say if the child were aborted because it was "unwanted."
To John Doe, Actually what the group is saying is not to have sex in the first place or waiting till marriage (abstenance) as well as support counciling and help if there is a pregnacy. Just on the basis of equal right, i say the group should be allowed to be on campas just like other groups, Contriversy never stopped the school before...
John, I have seen many families raise terrible children, who became criminals or committed suicide, these families waited to have children, and had loads of money. Then I have seen families that were poor and could only provide their child with basic needs and education, and these children went on to do great things and be highly successful. Money has nothing to do with raising a healthy child, unless you do not have enough resources to even feed or clothe the kid, but this is America, and money is not the biggest problem we have in raising children.
"Meanwhile, the school has recognized clubs involving chess, gay rights, break dancing and sci/fi horror movies."
Unfortunately, this school's leadership' priorities are way out of order. Kids can get together and break dance, talk about sci/fi movies - but they can't discuss pro-life issues? God forbid.
So John Doe, you are saying that speech with which you disagree should be suppressed.
Once upon a time, there was this thing called the First Amendment...
John Doe.. you should do some research on the "horrid consequences" abortion has on women after they've had abortions.. abortion has hurt women, not helped.. the information is both eye popping and heart wrenching
Although I believe in the right to free speech, some circumstances have to be considered logically. One should not decide to proceed with an unwanted pregnancy just because their religon says so, but because one has the financial ability to provide the basic needs to raise a child. Let me put it this way: if the group is allowed to function they will be telling students that it's fine to have a child regardless of the horrid consequences that follow
Yea! P.A. I commend you on your bravery in sticking up for your rights. I pray that more students join your efforts. Way to Go!
This attitude by a school in California does not surprise me at all. The entire national public school system has been in the "sewer" for decades. I left public education in Ohio in 1974 after I caught two middle school students having intercourse in a corner and the principal did NOTHING about it stating "Well, we must give our students their right to express themselves." I thought this action should be illegal in the state! Is there any wonder we have the problems in schools across the nation today. The next thing we know we will be told by the schoools it is "freedom of expression" to shoot students in schools.
JC rollin and xiz, I agree with all of you, I mean this is ridiculous! Gay rights is about as controversial a highschool club could be.
This doesn't surprise me at all. In California, my home state but which I've distanced myself from, the schools are embracing all kinds of immoral issues today. The schools are promoting taking drugs, they are promoting sexuality, and even homosexuality among their students. I even read an article today about the schools having new history books with seven chapters concerning Islam.
California is not the only state either.
Beloved, this just proves that this nation has been abandoned by God. All one has to do is read Romans, the 1st chapter, and one will conclude this.
Based upon the Word of God, the first sign that a nation has been abandoned by God is a sexual revolution. Beloved, this happened in the 1960's. The next step is a homosexual revolution, and we've had that as well. The third, and final step, is that they are given over to a depraved mind.
Beloved, America is here.
We, as Christians, ask the question "Can't these people see that what they are doing is wrong?". The answer is "no". They can't, because they've been given over to a depraved mind. They do these things, and they give heartily approval to those who also do these things. We are being forced to tolerate that which Christians know is not correct. They are unable to comprehend that which is wrong anymore. They have abandoned God and His instruction, and placed theirs before His.
Romans 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper
I agree with you xizwyck. They have got to be kidding when they say controversial. When the gay clubs came marching into the schools as a club, there was no controversy whatsoever (tongue in cheek). These school officials are a joke.
Too controversial? They have a gay rights club!!! Teenagers have to deal with unexpected pregnancies and pre-marital sexual activity. I'd say that this is what they need to deal with it and hopefully, help put an end to pre-marital sex and pre-martial pregnancies.