FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 19, 2008
CONTACT:
ACLU of Florida Media Office 786-363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – A federal judge reversed an order today, re-opening an important lawsuit in Okeechobee, Florida. The ACLU argues in the case that students at Okeechobee High School have a right, under the Federal Equal Access Act, to meet on campus, as other clubs do.
In addition to adding a new plaintiff to the case, the court admitted the two prior plaintiffs back into the case, who had previously been dismissed. The court reversed itself on whether nominal damages are sufficient for the former students to have standing to pursue their claims for past harm.
“We are very pleased with the court’s decision to reverse its decision, and to admit the new plaintiff,” said Rob Rosenwald, Director of the ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy Project and lead counsel on the case. “We are very positive, and ready to move forward with this case to ensure that equal rights extend to students in all parts of our state.
“These students are looking for a place to gather and discuss harassment and bullying in an open atmosphere – the school should have no reason to block them from exercising that right,” Rosenwald added.
Click here for more news on this case.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our Web site at: www.aclufl.org.
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