MICHIGAN, USA — A West Michigan school district is being sued after being accused of violating two students' First Amendment rights.
It all started after students at Tri County, a school district serving Newaygo, Montcalm and northern Kent counties, wore controversial sweatshirts to school.
Both of their hoodies said "Let's Go Brandon," which is a phrase critical of President Joe Biden that originates from a more vulgar chant.
Two students who go to the middle school were allegedly told by school administrators to take off sweatshirts.
Connor Fitzpatrick, an attorney for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, is representing the middle school students.
He says in the past, the school district has allowed other students to wear clothing with other political messages and the school can't pick and choose which ideas students are allowed to express.
"Schools are supposed to prepare students for real life and in real life, they are going to work for people and they're going to have neighbors who do not think, vote or even pray the same way that they do," Fitzpatrick said.
"So, school should be encouraging students to engage in political expression to get into arguments and debate with one another, as long as it stays non-disruptive."
Fitzpatrick says they want the students to be able to wear the sweatshirts and a declaration from the court saying the school's ban of the sweatshirts violates the First Amendment.
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to Tri County Schools for comment but have not heard back yet.
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