Students Kicked Out of Smithsonian for Wearing Pro-Life Hats File Federal Lawsuit

Did employees at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum really kick out a group of Catholic high school students and their chaperones for wearing pro-life hats? There must be more to the story. Even in this woke era, it’s hard to believe government employees would do something so obviously illegal.

According to The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), staff did more than kick out the group for wearing hats that read “Rosary PRO-LIFE.”

“At least five museum staff members and security officers “unlawfully targeted” the students on Friday, January 20: the day of March for Life. From ACLJ:

The museum staff mocked the students, called them expletives, and made comments that the museum was a “neutral zone” where they could not express such statements. The employee who ultimately forced the students to leave the museum was rubbing his hands together in glee as they exited the building. We here at the ACLJ are absolutely appalled at this blatant discrimination and won’t let this behavior stand.

The staff who harassed the group should be either former employees or undergoing intensive training in how to treat members of the public and ordered to study the U.S. Constitution.

ACLJ filed a lawsuit on behalf of the group.

The Smithsonian is government-owned property and subject to the First Amendment restrictions on violating the freedom of speech and expression. The group was not causing a problem. The abortion advocating staff were the problem. Advocating for protecting the unborn is offensive to those who believe women have a right to kill their unborn children for any reason they choose. But the government may not restrict pro-life expression.

Denying anyone access to a public space based solely on their political or religious views goes against the principles of free speech and the free exchange of ideas.

The students removed their hats to go through security, as requested. The group saw that other patrons were wearing expressive apparel and put their hats back on.

ACLJ stated that “…multiple museum personnel told the students they must remove their hats,” according to the complaint. “Staff could be heard using expletives about the students, many of whom were minors, including, ‘The f****** pro-life. What a bunch of s***…”

Yes, the staff needs to go, if they haven’t been fired already.

Photo credit: ACLJ

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