January 3, 2024
The United States Federal Government is getting really good at this irony stuff. Students for Life Action (SFLAction) has noted this before, documenting the many different cases of the Department of Justice and other State and Federal Agencies abusing their power to harass or otherwise intimidate the pro-life movement. However, none of those free speech violations have been quite as on the nose as this one covered by Fox News:
“Visitors to this year’s “March for Life” settled with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) after filing a lawsuit against the federal agency in February.
According to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the visitors were told during separate instances to remove or cover up clothing displaying pro-life messages before they could enter the building on January 20, 2023.
“A security officer contracted by NARA told the groups that their political apparel was “disturbing the peace” and could “incite others.” One visitor wearing a t-shirt which read, “MARCH 4 LIFE 2014: Saint Cecilia’s Youth Group, Glen Carbon, IL,” was told to cover up or change her “offensive” shirt, the ACLJ said.
“The Christian legal group announced on December 19 they had secured a settlement from the government agency over the incident which they argued violated their clients’ First Amendment rights.”
For those who don’t like Nicholas Cage movies, the National Archives is the home of the literal copy of the United States Constitution. You know – that document that more or less guarantees the right for people to express or hold whatever values or beliefs they want, especially on public property? It’s even the first one on the list:
“Amendment I – Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Instead of safeguarding the principles that make America great, the National Archives has instead taken on the Herculean task of policing attire. With the annual pro-life march in Washington D.C. right around the corner, let this be a reminder that we are allowed to speak our minds and wear our values on our sleeves.
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