http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=121319A Colorado student detained for wearing a "NOBAMA" slogan taped to his shirt as Michelle Obama prepared to speak at his public school during the 2008 presidential campaign is getting a $4,000 settlement from officials.
According to the Denver Post, Blake Benson reached agreement to settle the dispute and avoid a lawsuit against the Jefferson County sheriff's department and the Jefferson County school district.
Benson, a student at Dakota Ridge High, wore the slogan Nov. 3, 2008, as other students were lining up to enter the gym to hear the first lady speak.
He chose to "stay and campaign" for Sen. John McCain at the school, according to a news release from the ACLU.
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But Dakota Ridge school officials told Benson to leave, and when he declined, had him handcuffed, searched and arrested for interference – which carries a potential sentence of six months in jail.
The Post report said he also was handed a one-day suspension by principal Jim Jelinek, who explained the reason was Benson "was directed to cease politically protesting on school grounds."
ACLU spokesman Taylor Pendergrass said officials were wrong "to censor the peaceful, purely political speech of a high school student just a day before a historic national election."
"We should be encouraging civic engagement and political discourse in our high schools. Unfortunately, Jefferson County officials sent exactly the opposite message last November by arresting Mr. Benson for expressing his political views," Pendergrass said.
The Denver paper said the school district and sheriff's department each agreed to pay $2,000 to settle Benson's claims, although no wrong-doing was admitted.
"If one thing comes from this case, I hope it is that other students will learn more about their free speech rights and not be afraid to use them," Benson said in a statement.
Topic: Student settles case over 'NOBAMA' shirt (Read 505 times)