In a significant legal victory for pro-life advocates, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by individuals who were ordered to remove or cover up pro-life messages on their clothing during a visit to the institution in January.
The settlement comes nearly a year after the incident took place in Washington, D.C.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court by attorneys from the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), who argued that NARA had violated the plaintiffs' First Amendment right to free speech and the Fifth Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law.
The plaintiffs in the case, as reported by CNBC News, were Tamara R., who filed on behalf of her 17-year-old daughter L.R., Wendilee Walpole Lassiter from Virginia, and Terrie Kallal from Illinois. The group was in Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life event.
According to the same source, NARA guards told the pro-life advocates that their clothing, bearing pro-life messages, could "incite" others, was "disturbing the peace," and was "offensive." Consequently, they were instructed to either remove their pro-life attire or cover up the "offensive" wording.
The complaint detailed that L.R. was taken aback by the guards' demands, especially considering her proximity to the very documents that safeguard her First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of religion. Nevertheless, she complied out of fear of being ejected from the National Archives.
The complaint further stated that L.R. and her classmates later saw three female NARA employees instructing other classmates, still wearing pro-life clothing, to remove it immediately in the gift shop. L.R. also reportedly observed a man and a woman wearing "pro-choice" clothing without any interference from the guards.
As part of the settlement agreement, NARA has agreed to pay each plaintiff $10,000 to cover legal expenses and provide them with video footage of the incident.
Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the ACLJ, celebrated the victory, stating, "This is an especially important victory, as one month from today, pro-life Americans will once again gather in Washington, D.C., for the March for Life."
He further added, "Our victory today ensures that they will be free from harassment and that their First Amendment rights will be protected should they choose to visit the National Archives and view the very documents that protect those sacred rights." This settlement underscores the importance of upholding the constitutional rights of individuals, regardless of their political or ideological leanings.
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