Texas student vindicated

School district retracts freshman’s suspension

After being accused of bullying other students and given in-school suspension, Texas high school freshman Dakota Ary was given permission to return to his classes with no consequences.

This case, in which the Liberty Counsel is representing Ary, arose when, during a discussion about religious beliefs, Germany and same-sex attraction in a German class at Western Hill High, Ary stated that homosexuality is wrong, according to a news release from the Liberty Counsel. Subsequently, Ary was sent to the principal’s office by his teacher, Kristopher Franks, on the charge of “possible bullying” and given suspension, the news release states.

The Fort Worth Independent School District conducted a review of the situation and issued a letter Oct. 7 that stated that the suspension was retracted and that neither a First Amendment violation nor the implication of bullying behavior was valid.

“As previously stated, Dakota was not punished for expressing an opinion and there is no permanent record of his being punished for expressing an opinion,” the letter from the Fort Worth Independent School District states. “We recognize Dakota has the right to express an opinion in a manner consistent with law and policy.”

According to the Liberty Counsel news release, the letter issued by the Fort Worth Independent School District is a response to its “demand letter requesting full vindication and a full retraction of the suspension.”

This case has incited a great deal of controversy because it is centered on a sensitive topic. Comment sections under various articles on this topic include opinions from those who side with Ary, such as one commenter on LifeSiteNews.com who states that “we have the Right to discriminate between appropriate and inappropriate sexual inclinations and sexual behavior.” Others have tagged this situation as an example of homophobia and ignorance, according to comments on Dailymail.co.uk.

“This case is about the First Amendment right to express your view on moral issues,” Dean of Liberty University School of Law and Chairman of Liberty Counsel Mat Staver said. “The teacher tried to bully the students to accept his view of homosexuality. That was inappropriate and his actions clearly crossed the line. I am proud that Dakota Ary stood firm in his Christian beliefs.”