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Student sues over 'I (heart) BOOBIES' bracelet

IL Staff
February 6, 2012
Keywords
American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, Courts, District Courts, First Amendment, Northern District, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a northern Indiana middle school student who believed he would be expelled if he didn’t cover up his bracelet that said “I (heart) BOOBIES.”

L.G. goes to Roosevelt Middle school in Monticello, Ind. In early January, school officials told him to turn inside-out the silicone bracelet with the message on it, as well as the ribbon symbol for breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from the sale of the bracelets go to breast cancer research.

Other students have worn the bracelets without being told by school officials to remove them. L.G. was told by school personnel he would be punished – possibly expelled – if he wore the bracelet again. The student wore the bracelet as a way to instigate conversations about breast cancer.

“The bracelet did not disrupt the educational environment, and the speech here, designed to assist in the fight against breast cancer, is not profane, indecent, lewd, vulgar, or offensive to school purposes, and is therefore protected speech under the First Amendment,” said Ken Falk, legal director of the ACLU of Indiana.

The case, L.G., a minor child, by his father and next friend, Jeremy Glander, v. Twin Lakes School Corporation; Superintendent, Twin Lakes School Corporation, No. 4:12-CV-4, was filed Monday in the Northern District of Indiana, Lafayette Division.


 


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  • disruptive conduct and no real harm
    John SmithFebruary 6, 2012 5:49 PM
    Wow. With all the invasions of civil liberties happening about this over the GWOT and TSA and patriot act, for starters, not to mention the usual assortment of legitimate cases, the ACLU sure does have its hands full making sure kids can disrupt class with boobie bracelets.

    Amazingly poor choice of cases by the ACLU. Is this intended to help flog for donations somehow?

    PS exactly how was the kid harmed? I remember getting told to be quiet in school a thousand times. Can kids now talk whenever they feel like it?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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  1. G. Michael Witte letter states he's suspended for three years. The case that got him suspended is identical to my estate case, including havin the Late Judge Deiter recuse himself because Newman had a conflict of interest with the judge. His Modus Operandi is nearly identical.

  2. SIGNED BY G. MICHAEL WITTE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY INDIANA SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION DATED MAY 17, 2012.

    Your 6th complaint against Lawrence T. Newman filed on 4/12/2012. On 1/31/12, the Indiana Supreme Court entered an order suspending Lawrence T. Newman’s law license for a period of three years. More important, even after three years, Lawrence Todd Newman will not get his license back unless and until he goes through a separate proceeding to prove that he is fit to practice law. This is not an easy process, and the burden is upon Lawrence T. Newman to prove by clear and convincing evidence that he is fit to return to practice.
    Because of the length of Lawrence T. Newman’s license suspension and the fact he may never succeed in getting his law license reinstated, we are not opening an investigation file at this time.
    Should Lawrence T. Newman seek reinstatement in the future, we will open your file and ask Lawrence T. Newman to address your grievance as part of his burden of proving fitness. We have attempted to notify Lawrence T. Newman that this will be required of him.
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