Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

FRQ Prompt

During an Olympic Torch Relay event in Juneau, Alaska, student Joseph Frederick unfurled a banner that read "BONG HiTS 4 JESUS" as the cameras passed. Principal Deborah Morse confiscated the banner and suspended Frederick for ten days, claiming the banner promoted illegal drug use, which violated school policy. Frederick sued, arguing that his message was protected symbolic speech. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of the school, holding that schools may take steps to safeguard those in their care from speech that can reasonably be regarded as encouraging illegal drug use, which undermines the school’s educational mission.