It has come to our attention that on November 9, 2016, the day after the United States presidential election was decided, a student was singled out by staff at George Walton Comprehensive High School for wearing the words "America Chose Hate." The administration claimed those words were causing a disruption and asked for the clothing to be removed or covered up, or otherwise face in school suspension (ISS). The administrator also brought in the school police officer. By choosing this course of action, while allowing other students to wear politically charged attire without retribution, the school displayed their lack of impartiality and disregard for protecting free speech.

We expect the administration and staff at our schools to protect the First Amendment rights of our students. The right of free speech is indivisible: when one of us is denied this right, all of us are denied.