ADF prepared to defend participants in 8th annual Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are offering free legal assistance to public school students who participate in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity if their rights protected by the First Amendment are violated. The event, being held Tuesday at schools across the U.S., offers pro-life students an opportunity to express their viewpoint on the topic of abortion.

“Pro-life students shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their beliefs, so ADF will be standing by with free legal assistance if needed,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman. “ADF has nearly 2,100 allied attorneys nationwide who are ready to defend any students participating in this event who have their constitutionally protected rights violated on campus. These students have the constitutional right to express their viewpoint on abortion just as other students have the right to express their views.”

The Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity is a non-disruptive, student-led event occurring outside of instructional time.

ADF has published a legal memo informing students of their right under the First Amendment to peacefully express themselves on public school campuses to promote awareness about the dangers, as well as the physical and emotional toll, of abortion. ADF has successfully defended students barred by public school officials from participating in the event in past years.

“Students retain their First Amendment liberties while on campus,” the legal memo states. “The Supreme Court has rightfully pointed out that ‘[i]t can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.’”

The 8th annual Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity is sponsored by Stand True Ministries, a pro-life youth organization led by President Bryan Kemper.