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A New Jersey high school is suspending students who share gun photos on social media. In fact, Lacey Township High School is punishing two students for posting gun pictures taken outside school hours.
“I was pulled into the principal’s office for something I shared with my friends privately, outside of school, over a weekend,” student H.S. tells the ACLU. Specifically, the student in question and another student named Cody Conroy posted pictures of their legal guns on Snapchat.
In detail, the two went to a gun range for target practice on Saturday, then put pictures of the visit on Snapchat. In addition, the two made comments like “hot stuff” and “If there’s ever a zombie apocalypse, you know where to go.”
However, the comments and pictures led to a suspension after the principal saw the pictures. In fact, the students got three days of suspension and weekend detention for legal gun pictures.
Strangely, the Snapchat posts did not mention the high school. In addition, Snapchat deletes such posts after 24 hours, Reason claims. Therefore, Snapchat deleted the photos before the principal could see them.
High School Violates Students’ First Amendment Rights Over Guns
Lacey Township High School is violating the students’ First Amendment rights, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) charges. To explain, the ACLU considers social media posts as constitutional free speech.
Consequently, the ACLU and the students are suing the Lacey Township School District. In detail, the federal lawsuit demands the school stop disciplining students for “constitutionally protected free speech outside of school settings.” In addition, the ACLU wants the school to revise its policies to respect the First Amendment.
“The Lacey Township School District overstepped its constitutional boundaries by suspending Cody Conroy and H.S., both seniors for their photos of legally owned guns resting on a table,” an ACLU press release states. To clarify, the ACLU refers to one student as H.S. because he is under 18-years-old. Thus, the ACLU cannot legally reveal his name.
School Officials Suspend Students For Gun Pictures They Did Not See
Oddly enough, the principal did not see the gun pictures on Snapchat. Instead, a parent saw the pictures and made a complaint to the school.
Hence, two students face suspension and detention because of a parent’s claim. In fact, school officials have no evidence the Snapchat posts are real.
Therefore, Lacey Township High School is not monitoring students’ social media use. Unfortunately, some parents are monitoring social media and reporting posts to school authorities. Moreover, some parents are policing other families’ social media.
“It’s important for school leadership throughout New Jersey to understand that, almost always, their limited authority to punish student speech ends at the schoolhouse gate” ACLU New Jersey Senior Supervising Attorney Alexander Shalom says. “To build a society that truly values freedom of speech and ideas, we need to make sure it begins with young people.”
Does The First Amendment Cover Social Media?
Americans will have to fight for their First Amendment rights on social media because Big Brother is reading your posts.
In particular, the Social Security Administration plans to monitor the social media accounts of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients, Medium contributor David M. Perry alleges. To elaborate, Social Security officials will look for pictures showing that SSDI recipients are physically capable of work. In that case, it would be illegal for them to be receiving these SSDI payments.
Americans Will Have To Fight For Their Rights On Social Media
Under these circumstances, H.S. and Conroy’s lawsuit will be one of many legal battles for First Amendment rights on social media. Additionally, there will inevitably be more battles for Second Amendment rights on social media.
In short, all Americans need to fight for their Constitutional rights on social media. The bureaucrats are watching you and they want to take your rights.
You may also enjoy reading an additional Off The Grid News article: Student Flags Roommate With Bias Complaint For Watching Videos
