ACLU files suit defending "Islam is of the Devil" TShirts

[Breakage]

ACLU files suit defending anti-Islam shirts
The Independent Florida Alligator: News - ACLU files suit defending anti-Islam shirts

CJ PRUNER and EMILY FUGGETTA, Alligator Writers | Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:30 am | 3 comments

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Monday on behalf of the Dove World Outreach Center claiming the Alachua County school district’s policy against anti-Islamic T-shirts intrudes upon the wearers’ freedom of speech.

The shirts, which read “Islam is of the devil,” raised controversy when students were sent home from local elementary and middle schools for wearing them.

The church’s families said the shirts are protected by the Constitution under the First Amendment as religious expression.

Alachua County School District spokeswoman Jackie Johnson said the district will stand by its decision to enforce the dress code and prevent students from wearing items that are “disruptive to the learning environment and offensive to students.”

But according to ACLU of Florida executive director Howard Simon, the messages are protected under the First Amendment, which the Supreme Court has done a good job of outlining in terms of public schools.

“The shirts’ message isn’t about sex or drugs,” he said. “It’s about [the students’] views on politics, religion and history.”

Simon said the district’s decision to forbid the students from wearing the shirts crosses a line that shouldn’t be set by the school system, which is allowed to forbid certain clothing based on its offensiveness.

He said if every school restricted freedom of speech based on offending others, the freedom wouldn’t exist.

Simon said the students were not sent home from school the first day they wore the shirts because there was no disruption, but the schools later decided to forbid the shirts because of their message.

While the shirts’ message is distressing, Simon said, their appearance should have sparked school-wide discussions about religion and politics, being used as a learning tool.

“Rather than restricting speech,” he said, “it should have opened the door to more speech.”

A spokesperson from the DWOC declined to comment on the case but referred to a statement from the Rev. Terry Jones, the church’s senior pastor.

“What we are doing is what every church should be doing,” part of the statement from Jones reads, “but the churches in America and in Gainesville have become cowardly. The church’s job is to stand up and speak out on issues…and warn against false religions like Islam that masquerades itself as a religion of peace. Their desire is to destroy America, Israel and western civilization and to institute Islamic law.”

[mfactor]

Where can I get one?

[jvquinn]

Allen West on Fort Hood Massacre « Gathering of Eagles: NY

if not it is a good read.

[Breakage]

That is a nice piece.

[bpiets]

Originally Posted by Breakage

ACLU files suit defending anti-Islam shirts
The Independent Florida Alligator: News - ACLU files suit defending anti-Islam shirts

CJ PRUNER and EMILY FUGGETTA, Alligator Writers | Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:30 am | 3 comments

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Monday on behalf of the Dove World Outreach Center claiming the Alachua County school district’s policy against anti-Islamic T-shirts intrudes upon the wearers’ freedom of speech.

The shirts, which read “Islam is of the devil,” raised controversy when students were sent home from local elementary and middle schools for wearing them.

The church’s families said the shirts are protected by the Constitution under the First Amendment as religious expression.

Alachua County School District spokeswoman Jackie Johnson said the district will stand by its decision to enforce the dress code and prevent students from wearing items that are “disruptive to the learning environment and offensive to students.”

But according to ACLU of Florida executive director Howard Simon, the messages are protected under the First Amendment, which the Supreme Court has done a good job of outlining in terms of public schools.

“The shirts’ message isn’t about sex or drugs,” he said. “It’s about [the students’] views on politics, religion and history.”

Simon said the district’s decision to forbid the students from wearing the shirts crosses a line that shouldn’t be set by the school system, which is allowed to forbid certain clothing based on its offensiveness.

He said if every school restricted freedom of speech based on offending others, the freedom wouldn’t exist.

Simon said the students were not sent home from school the first day they wore the shirts because there was no disruption, but the schools later decided to forbid the shirts because of their message.

While the shirts’ message is distressing, Simon said, their appearance should have sparked school-wide discussions about religion and politics, being used as a learning tool.

“Rather than restricting speech,” he said, “it should have opened the door to more speech.”

A spokesperson from the DWOC declined to comment on the case but referred to a statement from the Rev. Terry Jones, the church’s senior pastor.

“What we are doing is what every church should be doing,” part of the statement from Jones reads, “but the churches in America and in Gainesville have become cowardly. The church’s job is to stand up and speak out on issues…and warn against false religions like Islam that masquerades itself as a religion of peace. Their desire is to destroy America, Israel and western civilization and to institute Islamic law.”

..'once' 'it' was just the 'weather'man' t-shirts' etc...lol...and then it was>>> etc..etc..etc..lol..

[ARSIGNMAN]

Originally Posted by mfactor

Where can I get one?

We need to get one and send to Obama

[alysheba88]

Where are the ACLU bashers? Some of which are in this thread.

The ones who if they were defending something they didnt agree with would be bashing them unmercifully

[bpiets]

Originally Posted by ARSIGNMAN

We need to get one and send to Obama

...lol.....would same be a tax write-off...???>..lol...

[bpiets]

Originally Posted by alysheba88

Where are the ACLU bashers? Some of which are in this thread.

The ones who if they were defending something they didnt agree with would be bashing them unmercifully

..every-'one' should have at least 2 guns with lot'sa' ammo .....

[mfactor]

Originally Posted by alysheba88

Where are the ACLU bashers? Some of which are in this thread.

The ones who if they were defending something they didnt agree with would be bashing them unmercifully

Unlike Obama the A.C.L.U. gets one right every now and then.

[alysheba88]

Originally Posted by mfactor

Unlike Obama the A.C.L.U. gets one right every now and then.

Probably get them right more then some others I know who post here...

[mfactor]

Originally Posted by alysheba88

Probably get them right more then some others I know who post here...

Break gets it right 99 percent, ACLU gets it wrong about the same.

[alysheba88]

Originally Posted by mfactor

Break gets it right 99 percent, ACLU gets it wrong about the same.

Yeah when you agree with them they get it right

Total hypocrite, know nothing about freedom of speech or what ACLU stands for

One of those who picks their spots when it comes to freedom

Hypocrite

Cant even imagine defending something you dont agree with can you?

[mfactor]

Originally Posted by alysheba88

Yeah when you agree with them they get it right

Total hypocrite, know nothing about freedom of speech or what ACLU stands for

One of those who picks their spots when it comes to freedom

Hypocrite

Cant even imagine defending something you dont agree with can you?

LOL typical all knowing liberal...."know nothing about freedom of speech or what the ACLU
stands for" lol too funny who are you Michael Douglas in The American President.
You really do feel intellectually superior to most people don't you Aly...be honest.

[alysheba88]

Originally Posted by mfactor

LOL typical all knowing liberal...."know nothing about freedom of speech or what the ACLU
stands for" lol too funny who are you Michael Douglas in The American President.
You really do feel intellectually superior to most people don't you Aly...be honest.

Being intellectually superior to you not anything going to put on my resume

Not exactly an accomplishment

[alysheba88]

Originally Posted by mfactor

LOL typical all knowing liberal...."know nothing about freedom of speech or what the ACLU
stands for" lol too funny who are you Michael Douglas in The American President.
You really do feel intellectually superior to most people don't you Aly...be honest.

and by the way typical bash the poster and run from your infamous anti freedom record

Just like a lawyer you love ACLU when you need it

But dont believe in their message in any way

Just like you dont believe in this country

[mfactor]

Originally Posted by alysheba88

and by the way typical bash the poster and run from your infamous anti freedom record

Just like a lawyer you love ACLU when you need it

But dont believe in their message in any way

Just like you dont believe in this country

Your nothing Aly, no substance, no heart, a coward.

[alysheba88]

Originally Posted by mfactor

Your nothing Aly, no substance, no heart, a coward.

Again, nothing.

And you dare whine in other thread about discussing something?

Dont need meds to get me through the day

Sorry you want to play rough ill play rough