Help SSDP Protect Students' Free Speech Rights
Dear Friend,
Yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Morse v. Frederick, otherwise known as the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case. Students for Sensible Drug Policy held a rally outside the Supreme Court and filed an amicus brief in support of the student in this case because of the serious implications it could have on the ability of students to freely discuss drug policy issues that directly impact them.
SSDP organized the rally with the help of the Drug Policy Alliance in order to draw media attention to students' free speech concerns. We flew in high school students from across the country to hold "Free Speech 4 Students" signs at the court, including a large banner modeled after the one that started this case. We were successful beyond anything we expected: Our action was featured in nearly every major news outlet in the country, including photos in the Washington Post, New York Times, Philadelphia Enquirer, and a front-page picture in USA Today!
Our action was also featured in news stories on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and dozens of local TV news affiliates, as well as Channel One News, which is broadcast in 60% of high schools nationwide. You can view a three-minute montage video of the coverage at http://www.ssdp.org/freespeech
As you can see, the rally put together by SSDP and DPA became the preeminent visual image of this important case, shifting the focus from the ridiculous content of the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner to the important concerns of students nationwide that their free speech rights are under attack.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy works hard every day to enable students and young people to debate Drug War policies that directly impact their lives, and we'll continue to resist any attempts to limit students' ability to discuss these issues. If you support the work that SSDP does on behalf of young people, I hope you will consider making a financial contribution to SSDP today at http://www.ssdp.org/donate
In order to help us sustain our work on a regular basis, please consider making a monthly contribution to SSDP. A donation of $5, $10, or $20 per month goes a long way towards helping SSDP maintain our activities while continuing to expand at the national and chapter levels. Simply click the check box next to "I want to make a recurring donation" at http://www.ssdp.org/donate
Thank you very much for your support of SSDP and our work to encourage a lively and productive debate about drug policy among our nation's youth.
Regards,
Kris Krane
Executive Director
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
P.S. You can view many of TV news stories in their entirety at http://www.youtube.com/ssdp
P.P.S. You can read the USA Today article (and view the associated picture) about the case and our rally at http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/
2007-03-19-student-free-speech_N.htm?csp=34
Dear Friend,
Yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Morse v. Frederick, otherwise known as the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case. Students for Sensible Drug Policy held a rally outside the Supreme Court and filed an amicus brief in support of the student in this case because of the serious implications it could have on the ability of students to freely discuss drug policy issues that directly impact them.
SSDP organized the rally with the help of the Drug Policy Alliance in order to draw media attention to students' free speech concerns. We flew in high school students from across the country to hold "Free Speech 4 Students" signs at the court, including a large banner modeled after the one that started this case. We were successful beyond anything we expected: Our action was featured in nearly every major news outlet in the country, including photos in the Washington Post, New York Times, Philadelphia Enquirer, and a front-page picture in USA Today!Our action was also featured in news stories on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and dozens of local TV news affiliates, as well as Channel One News, which is broadcast in 60% of high schools nationwide. You can view a three-minute montage video of the coverage at http://www.ssdp.org/freespeech
As you can see, the rally put together by SSDP and DPA became the preeminent visual image of this important case, shifting the focus from the ridiculous content of the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner to the important concerns of students nationwide that their free speech rights are under attack.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy works hard every day to enable students and young people to debate Drug War policies that directly impact their lives, and we'll continue to resist any attempts to limit students' ability to discuss these issues. If you support the work that SSDP does on behalf of young people, I hope you will consider making a financial contribution to SSDP today at http://www.ssdp.org/donate
In order to help us sustain our work on a regular basis, please consider making a monthly contribution to SSDP. A donation of $5, $10, or $20 per month goes a long way towards helping SSDP maintain our activities while continuing to expand at the national and chapter levels. Simply click the check box next to "I want to make a recurring donation" at http://www.ssdp.org/donate
Thank you very much for your support of SSDP and our work to encourage a lively and productive debate about drug policy among our nation's youth.
Regards,
Kris Krane
Executive Director
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
P.S. You can view many of TV news stories in their entirety at http://www.youtube.com/ssdp
P.P.S. You can read the USA Today article (and view the associated picture) about the case and our rally at http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/
2007-03-19-student-free-speech_N.htm?csp=34
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