News

WASHINGTON, DC, August 14 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Rock for Life college group has decided to drop a lawsuit against the University of Maryland Aug. 12 after the school agreed to change its free speech policies.

“May this put all universities on notice,” said Erik Whittington, Rock for Life’s national director. “Our message will not be silenced, nor will our First Amendment rights be abridged.”

Last year, the University of Maryland twice told Rock for Life, a registered student organization, to move its display, the Genocide Awareness Project, to less and less visible locations – thus thwarting the students’ ability to exercise their free speech rights at a public university.

Rock for Life, aided by the Alliance Defense Fund, a public-interest law firm, sued the school for free speech violations.

Earlier this week, Rock for Life agreed to drop the lawsuit when the University of Maryland agreed to change its facilities-use policies as well as revise its speech codes. To ensure the university’s compliance, both the university and Rock for Life will give Judge J. Frederick Motz a joint status report Sept. 19.

“We are excited to learn that the free speech rights of pro-life students on campus have been restored,” Whittington said. “All the group wanted to do was educate fellow students about the horrors of abortion. How can they do that when their speech gets restricted to low-visibility areas of campus? We are thankful to the Alliance Defense Fund for coming to their aid.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

One News Now: Once sued, University Changes Tone about Pro-Life Display (13 August 2008)
https://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=210790

Christian Broadcasting Network: Pro-Life Group Wins Free Speech Suit (11 August 2008)
https://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/426141.aspx

Rock for Life:
https://www.rockforlife.org/