Teenager sues high school after tribute to Charlie Kirk was called vandalism
A North Carolina high school student, Gabby Stout, is suing Ardrey Kell High School after her painted tribute to Charlie Kirk was initially labeled vandalism by school officials. Stout had received prior approval to create the tribute on the school's 'spirit rock,' which included patriotic messages, but faced intimidation when the school painted over it and suggested there would be disciplinary action. After the backlash, the school retracted its vandalism claim, but Stout reported experiencing bullying and health issues due to the incident. The lawsuit, backed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, asserts that her constitutional rights were violated, highlighting perceived biases against conservative expressions compared to accepted liberal viewpoints.
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Gabby Stout painted a tribute to Charlie Kirk on the school's spirit rock, which included messages like 'Freedom 1776' and 'Live Like Kirk — John 11:25,' after receiving authorization from school officials.
The school initially accused Stout of vandalism, prompting her to feel intimidated and scared, and claimed to have contacted law enforcement to investigate the incident.
Later, the school announced that Stout would face no disciplinary action and there would be no investigation, reversing their initial stance on the tribute being vandalism.
Stout's lawsuit, filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, alleges the school violated her constitutional rights, especially given that similar political expressions, like those supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, were previously permitted.
The lawsuit emphasizes that Stout felt targeted for her conservative and religious beliefs, contrasting her experience with how the school treated other political expressions.