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After Copper Hills High School in Utah censored a chapter of Turning Point USA and denied the group the same rights as other student groups, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) in June sent a letter to the school, reminding administrators that they’re required to treat all students equally.
Turning Point USA is a conservative group with a mission to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.”
In the letter (PDF) dated June 8, 2022, ADF contended that the school district and officials “have been hostile to Turning Point’s views.” Bryan Veazie, the school’s principal, called Turning Point a “radical Republican group.” He also called the group “far-right” and “extreme.” Veazie barred the students from calling their group “Turning Point USA” to disassociate it with the national organization.
Among ADF’s allegations: the student group sought the necessary pre-approval for a table during lunch to speak with other students about conservative principles. The school approved the request. The table was popular and attracted a lot of students. During another table event two days later, ADF said “school officials abruptly put an end to the group’s speech.”
The vice principal told the group to take down posters that read, “Socialism Sucks,” “I’m a Conservative,” and “Always Love America.” She claimed the posters didn’t represent both sides and that despite having pre-approval, they actually didn’t have pre-approval.
The principal tried to justify censoring the group’s speech, but ADF said the school violated the Equal Access Act and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
ADF’s letter had the intended effect. The school district has made changes to its policies and will comply with the law. From ADF:
Jordan School District now allows the student group to distribute its desired materials, which officials had previously prevented, and it amended its policy to comply with the law, including adding measures to safeguard against school administrators discriminating against certain groups based on their viewpoint. Additionally, school district officials now recognize the group by its desired name, “Turning Point USA,” which they had previously denied.
“Public schools should foster an environment where students of all political and ideological views can share their opinions freely and peacefully, without censoring views they disagree with,” ADF Legal Counsel Mathew Hoffmann said. “We’re pleased to see district and school officials abide by the law and respect the Turning Point USA student group’s right to speak freely on campus.”
Photo credit: Alliance Defending Freedom
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