ACLU Fires off a Letter at Camden County

Camden

The ACLU of New Jersey today sent a letter to the Camden County Board of Commissioners reminding them of their responsibility to uphold students’ rights to free speech and free expression. The letter also calls on the Board to disavow an earlier effort by two of its commissioners – via a letter sent to the Superintendent of the Eastern Camden County Regional School District on April 22 – to incorrectly characterize any pro-Palestinian speech as antisemitic and dangerously disregard students’ free speech rights under the federal and state constitutions.

“Students should be commended for engaging in peaceful protest, not condemned. The Commissioners’ letter was an irresponsible overreach by government officials to stifle legitimate student speech and we urge the Board to disavow it. To build a fairer future, we are all responsible for ensuring opportunities for civic participation remain accessible for generations to come,” said ACLU-NJ Policy Director Sarah Fajardo.

The Commissioners’ letter prompted school officials to cancel a walkout in support of Palestine, the cessation of bombing, and human rights that was planned by students at Eastern Regional High School even though the posters for the event made no mention of violence or discriminatory content. Further, the students involved in planning the walkout attempted to work with school administrators to exercise their right to free speech.

Since 1969 in Tinker v. Des Moines, courts have recognized that students’ First Amendment right to free speech does not stop at the schoolhouse gates. In New Jersey, the state constitution further ensures that schools cannot suppress unpopular or controversial viewpoints to avoid “discomfort or unpleasantness.” These protections are essential in preparing students to become informed members of a democratic society where they will be faced with differing opinions and conflicting information.

As students around the country continue to engage in widespread protest, it is critical to distinguish political expression and peaceful protest from incidents that are antisemitic, anti-Israeli, anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, or anti-Arab. While schools are responsible for addressing incidents of discrimination, the First Amendment would mean nothing if school administrators could suppress political viewpoints simply because they offend people in the community or because of external pressure from other government officials.

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The ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all since our founding in 1960. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and expand the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice for the people of New Jersey. We are a non-partisan organization that operates across political, legal, and cultural fronts to bring about change and build a more equitable society. www.aclu-nj.org 

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4 responses to “ACLU Fires off a Letter at Camden County”

  1. With all due respect. Are we free to try something new? Such as taking on a neural pathway? Telling the true story behind the cause of war? It’s been so long. We take sides. Deal in absolute. Do we know who started the reason behind it? what do we know? What are we protesting for? I have Jewish friends peace loving worshiping observers. What are the student looking for? What do they stand up for? And the ACLU New Jersey freedom? I don’t know what the letter says
    Thank you for let me share my thought more peace not war Pour the oil into the fire.
    Do we know where we are going?
    I want to go back to my house
    and let the court decide who is the rightful owner?
    I will say let the Commission or the school whoever that send that letter out the Student. It’s not the court isn’t it? So is the court where the ultimate say to go through obviously they don’t care. They don’t listen they skirt around the court they don’t have any respect for the court around here do they? I can see why the judges are not voted in the judges appointed by the president Congress Senate the I don’t want to be here. I really don’t. Hi okay how are you? How to stay show and tell we are in neutral zone?

  2. Camden county school board has been a problem for years. Remember when they didn’t even want to feed the kids?

  3. Solidarity to the students who want to take a stand. The superintendents will be remembered for their cowardice.

  4. This article is pretty eye-opening. As someone who has lived in Camden County for a while, it’s concerning to see the ACLU raising these issues. It makes me wonder about the transparency and fairness in our local government. How do other residents feel about this? Have you noticed any changes or concerns that align with what the ACLU is pointing out? I’m curious if this is just a one-off situation or something we should be more vigilant about moving forward. It seems like a lot of us may not even be aware of these concerns, which makes it all the more important to stay informed. 🧐

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