Court says schools can punish students for pro-drug speech
June 26, 2007
Alaska student had contended that school suspension violated his free-speech rights.
School principals may punish students for displaying signs that favor the use of illegal drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court says. The 5-4 ruling rejected a free-speech claim from a former high school student in Juneau, Alaska, who was suspended for unfurling a banner outside school that read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus." The student, Joseph Frederick, hoped to show up on the local television news because the Olympic torch parade was due to pass by. Instead, he ended up in the principal's office and received a 10-day suspension.