Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

June 2015 – Two Fargo, North Dakota, students were still waiting at press time to learn if their pro-life clubs would be allowed the same privileges as other extracurricular clubs.

At Davies High School, Katie McPherson had been given the runaround since filing in September 2014 for school recognition of  Students for Life of America.

“The school promptly brought her in for questioning, asked her a lot of questions about the purpose of the club and her viewpoints, and even asked her what religion she was, even though these are secular clubs,” reported attorney Jocelyn Floyd at the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm which represents the students.

Brigid O’Keefe, a student at Fargo North High School, had faced similar discrimination since filing for recognition in February.

The school district classified SLA clubs as “outside agencies” rather than official school clubs. Thus the pro-life students cannot host events or put up posters to advertise meetings or spread their message. 

In Hampton, Iowa, senior Isabell Akers fought the same battle for two years to secure school recognition for Students for Life of America. Her group was allowed to meet, but not to advertise their events.

“Public schools are required by law to treat all student groups equally,” said Floyd. “However, the school district and administrators … are treating pro-life students as second class citizens.”

thomasmoresociety.org, 4/8/15; onenewsnow.com, 8/13/15