Attorney General Alan Wilson of South Carolina has joined 14 other states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the Supreme Court. The brief supports an Indiana high school student who was barred from displaying pro-life flyers at her school.
“Deeply held beliefs don’t stop when a student enters the doors of their school,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “Educational institutions should be places where young people can experience new ideas and find their voice, not have it silenced.”
The case involves a student who hung flyers that read “Defund Planned Parenthood” to promote a pro-life group led by students. According to the amicus brief, the school’s actions amounted to censorship based on controversy. The states argue that prohibitions on “political speech” are too broad and could restrict many forms of expression that school officials might disagree with.
“Students have the right to respectfully share their beliefs and opinions at school,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Nowhere in the First Amendment is the right to free speech given to everyone except students in a school.”
Wilson’s participation in this legal effort comes as part of his role as South Carolina’s primary legal advocate and enforcer, overseeing prosecutions, regulations, and collaborating with law enforcement across the state. More about these responsibilities can be found on the official website.
Other states joining South Carolina in this brief include Kansas, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
A copy of the briefs is available online.
