CARMEL, Ind. – Carmel High School faces the threat of a lawsuit after administrators took down an anti-abortion poster.
The poster includes 300 hand-painted hearts and reads, “3,000 lives are ended each day.” Letters from the word “abortion” are crossed out to instead spell “adoption.”
Student members of Carmel Teens For Life said administrators are discriminating against their views by removing the poster. They argue administrators have not taken down signs made by other clubs, including the pro-LGBT organizations.
The students with the pro-life club are being represented by Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based nonprofit that promotes religious freedom. They argue the poster shouldn’t have been removed since it was approved for display.
“The fact that it was taken down without even having administrators talk to me about it or explain why they were going to take it down, it just happened. And then, the fact that it was thrown away in the nurse's office was just unbelievable,” said Mary Carmen, Carmel Teens For Life president.
Lawyers said the decision to take down the poster was based on one student viewing it as offensive.
"As we celebrate the anniversary of the Bill of Rights, the Carmel Teens for Life Club learned that free speech cannot be taken for granted," said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel.
Carmel Clay Schools released a statement on the action:
“Our legal team is now in talks with Liberty Counsel to work out an amicable resolution – one that will ensure the protection of student rights and encourage freedom of speech. Administrators hope this will serve as a teachable moment for the entire community – especially students and staff.”
