For immediate release March 2, 2006 Harrisburg (PA) - The ACLU of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit today in federal court to stop the Central Dauphin School District from disciplining students for engaging in peaceful political speech. In early February 2006, numerous students were suspended from school or otherwise disciplined after displaying "Free Turk" signs and T-shirts. "Free Turk" is a political slogan used by students in the district to criticize the placement of another student in an alternative education program. The phrase was placed on book covers, folders, and even students' hands. In response, school district officials disciplined the students for displaying the political message, even though the students' quiet and dignified political speech did not substantially disrupt the educational process. "We cannot educate the next generation of leaders by telling them not to form their own opinions, or that once they have formed them they have to keep them to themselves," said Spero Lappas said, one of the attorneys for the students. "As long as students act in a proper and lawful manner, their right to be heard must be protected." The case is Harbeson et al v. Central Dauphin School District. The students are represented by ACLU of Pennsylvania Legal Director Witold "Vic" Walczak, ACLU of PA staff attorney Paula K. Knudsen, and volunteer lawyer Spero T. Lappas of Serratelli, Schiffman, Brown, and Calhoon, P.C.
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