By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Unit 5 administrators are looking to take a proactive step to protect the constitutional rights of free speech and expression for students should they stage peaceful demonstrations at school events when the national anthem is played or during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Normal Community High School’s football team hosts Bradley-Bourbonnais and Normal West plays at Bloomington Friday evening in the first two major sports events since President Donald Trump sparked a national debate with a profanity-laced tirade a week ago while calling for NFL owners to fire players who don’t stand for the national anthem.
Kids will face no discipline for locking arms or taking a knee during the anthem, based on guidelines sent to Unit 5 principals, athletic directors, and coaches.
“There will be nothing done to prohibit them from doing that, and from exercising those free speech rights,” said Unit 5 attorney Curt Richardson.
“There will be no adverse consequences afterwards for them choosing to do so,” Richardson also said.
Richardson cited case law that said students don’t shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates.
Any demonstration, according to Richardson, can not cause a substantial disruption, nor can they be lewd, vulgar, or obscene.
Richardson knows of no planned demonstrations. If they happen, Richardson requests fans show tolerance even if they disagree with what they’re seeing.
District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly has issued no directive, but he said people have a right to express their thoughts and opinions.
Reilly calls the current debate a “teachable moment” for students and educators.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
