Nebraska

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

In 2008, 30 students at Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska were suspended for wearing a T-shirt stating “Julius RIP.” The shirt had been created to remember a student who was murdered during the summer. But school officials claimed “RIP” was a gang symbol. After the ACLU got involved, the school district removed the suspensions and allowed the students to wear the shirt.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
A Nebraska valedictorian was told in 2005 that her diploma would be withheld if she went ahead with a speech using a word the school considered offensive although it was not obscene.  After the ACLU intervened, she was able to give the speech using her choice of words. 

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
In 2005, Millard high school told a student he could not hand out flyers against the Iraq War.  The flyers were confiscated, and he was told he would be suspended if he tried to hand them out.  After the intervention of the ACLU, the school agreed to let the student distribute the flyers in the "place and manner" indicated by the student handbook.

FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
Students at Norfolk Senior High wanted to form a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and have it meet at the school during "club hour."   The school administration and school board denied their request even though other non-curriculum clubs (including religious club and an anti-racism club) meet at the school and have the privileges requested by the students.   It took a letter from the ACLU to convince the school that the GSA should be treated in the same manner as other student clubs.