Missisippi ACLU says Senatobia Superintendent is Violating First Amendment Rights of Graduates Parents

Senatobia Superintendent Jay Foster is violating some folks First Amendment rights, according to a report from the Associated Press:

• The Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said that Foster is violating First Amendment rights and that those who cheered did not do anything that could be considered a crime. "The First Amendment of the United States Constitution clearly prohibits the making of any law that would impede the freedom of speech," Mississippi ACLU Legal Director Charles Irvin said in a statement. "Citizens should be able to enjoy the right of free speech, especially at a congratulatory event, like a high school graduation. The cheering by the family does not qualify as a disturbance of the peace and should not have elicited a criminal response."

Also, Northwest Community College may no longer host Senatobia's graduations. 

•  Meanwhile, Northwest Mississippi Community College, which hosts graduations not only for Senatobia but for several other nearby high schools, said it may no longer do so. Spokeswoman Sarah Sapp said the college has taken a lot of heat because its police chief helped Foster fill out the criminal charges, which she described as part of the chief's routine duties. In Mississippi, typically any adult can swear out a misdemeanor charge, with courts later judging whether the charge is merited.

Senatobia Superintendent Jay Foster Still DEMANDS Respect

Foster says he is doing it to set an example to future graduations. Does he understand that the same parents don't come back every year?

• Foster has been castigated in both the mainstream media and the conservative media. But he said he believes he did the right thing – and I guarantee you that folks will think about misbehaving in the future. [Todd Starnes]

Back Story:  Dear Senatobia Superintendent Jay Foster: Respect is Earned; NOT Forced!

Dear Senatobia Superintendent Jay Foster: Respect is Earned; NOT Forced!

Clearly, Mr Foster, is rather clueless for a school district superintendent. Respect is earned NOT forced. Otherwise it is NOT really respect.

WREG Reports"

• Police at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where the high school ceremony was held, said the superintendent asked the crowd not to scream and to hold their applause until the end. Otherwise, they would be asked to leave. However, that wasn’t the end of it. “A week or two later, I was served with some papers,” Miller explained. The papers threatened to throw them in jail. Senatobia Municipal School District Superintendent Jay Foster filed ‘disturbing the peace’ charges against the people who yelled at graduation. Officers issued warrants for their arrests with a possible $500 bond.

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