The New York Times ran a story on March 20, 2007 regarding a student's First Amendment right to freedom of speech. The student had made a banner that read, "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" that he unfurled during the Olympic torch run in his local community. The case raises important issues of freedom of expression and student censorship that go far beyond the words on that banner.
Joseph Frederick and his fellow students were allowed to leave the grounds of Juneau-Douglas High School so they could watch the Olympic torch pass nearby. When the cameras began to roll, he unfurled his banner, which he says was meant to be funny and get him on television. The principal took it from him, and suspended him for 10 days.
Mr. Frederick says the suspension violated his rights. The school board insists the principal had the right to confiscate the banner and punish the student because the language undermined its teachings about the dangers of illegal drugs. The San Francisco-based United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled for Mr. Frederick, citing the 1969 case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which held that students have the right to free speech, which can be suppressed only when the speech disrupts school activities.
Here's the link to the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/opinion/20tue1.html.
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I also think it is important to note that the banner was not displayed on school property. I think if that had been the case, then perhaps the principal would have a bit more control over the situation. Especially since it did not appear to disrupt anything or anyone at the school.
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