Supreme Court Hearing "Bong Hits for Jesus Case"

On Monday, March 19th the U.S. Supreme Court began to review a case which could have significant implications for students claiming the right to free speech when defending their actions. In 2002, a student in Juneau, Alaska decided to reveal a sign promoting "Bong Hits For Jesus" during a school event in 2002 when the students were watching the Olympic torch be passed as it was going through their town on it's way to the Olympic Games. The principal of his school viewing it as a promotion of the use of illegal substances decided to take action. The principal ended up suspending the student for the display at a school sponsored event.

Up for debate now is if this was an expression of the rights guaranteed by the first amendment, or if the teacher acted properly in suspending the student for a disruptive display promoting drug use at the school event. The attorney in this case for the principal is well known in the Washington, DC area and throughout the country. He is Kenneth Star, the man who served as the independent counsel during President Clinton's impeachment hearings. Douglas Mertz is representing the student in this case. The issue goes deeper than the suspension of a student. This case will set a standard for which schools across the country and the students that attend them will have to follow in regards to public displays and protests. In this case itself the student was promoting illegal drug use, but schools could have to deal with similar incidents across the country promoting a large variety of items if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the student involved in this case, who is not expected to attend these proceedings. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the principal, it will give the schools more power and limit displays of what students claim to be their first amendment rights.