Statement: Court rightfully re-asserted that kids have 1st Amendment rights, too

Tim Smith

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision today in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus on Children issued the following statement: 

“The Supreme Court today rightfully re-asserted that children have First Amendment rights, too. We are pleased that, by an 8-1 margin, the Court decided that neither new technology — nor the age of the speaker — should play a role in whether the government can stifle speech. This case was about much more than a cheerleader and a bad word and we are pleased that the Court recognized this. Young people, all across the country, are emerging as leaders in the fight against injustice — against racial inequity, LGBTQ discrimination, climate change, gun violence, and other issues — and must be allowed to speak up without fear of punishment from those in power.”