After receiving complaints from teachers, the principal of Marshall High School in Portland, Oregon, emptied out the display case used by the Chess Club to advertise its presence to the high school population. District officials said they felt the display gave the impression that the school was endorsing chess.
No, wait, of course, I got it wrong. It was the Hispanic Club’s display that was taken down. District officials were concerned that ethnic tensions might be increased by advertising a club that fostered pride and solidarity for a particular ethnicity. After all, with the many ethnicities in the Multnomah school district, the district can’t be seen as supporting one over another.
No, hold on, I made a mistake again. It was the Gay & Lesbian Alliance‘s display that was taken down, after district officials feared that students and parents might think it meant that the school was supporting a homosexual lifestyle. They noted that GALA members had been given places to exercise their free speech, but that display cases were not one of these places.
Oh, wait, got it wrong again. It was the school Bible Club. Well, that makes it all better, then. I just wonder why the district is getting sued over it?
(via Volokh)
Very interesting play on peoples “hot buttons”.