Freedom of Speech Violation!

Natalie McKittrick

Article: 5

School police union slammed for edgy t-shirts

http://www.nctimes.com/news/national/school-police-union-slammed-for-edgy-t-shirts/article_7580f44d-f423-5985-b1a8-2c560ed5038c.html

Police might have disciplinary action places upon them for selling of offensive t-shirt

A police officers union in Northern California has angered a whole town because they began to sell offensive t-shirts. The shirt showed a child behind bars and read "U raise `em, we cage `em." The Twin Rivers Police Officers Association officials said that they had the idea in 2009 in order to raise money for fallen officers. Less than 30 shirts were sold and most at the price of $12 for their fellow union members. They are debating whether to pose disciplinary action upon them... but can they?

This connects to what we are learning in class in the Bill of Rights category. They would be violating the basic rights amendment. If they were to punish them for it they would be seizing their freedom of speech. In that category they can wear and say what they want. So therefore under the bill of rights they cannot punish them for this in anyway.

This connects to my life as a citizen. It connects because if I did not have the right to the freedom of speech I might not be able to wear some of the clothing that I have. I also greatly enjoy debates. Without the freedom of speech I might not be able to freely express my thoughts about the most interesting topics. Also some of the books that I greatly enjoy (Harry Potter and Septimus Heap come to mind) might not be published because of controversial content.

I have two opinions on the matter. My first is that they should not have posted it in the first place because it can be taken very offensively on many counts. For instance you might be insulting the mother, stating that she did not raise her child right. Also the T-shirt features a young boy, so that could also be quite offensive. My second is that they cannot proceed with disciplinary action on the topic and the Bill of Rights clearly states that.