Las Vegas School District Sued Over Expulsion of Student for Pro-ICE Signs
A student in Las Vegas has filed a lawsuit against the school district, alleging a First Amendment violation after being expelled for putting up pro-law enforcement signs on campus. This legal action was initiated on May 14 in U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.
The student, referred to as NC, claims he faced discipline after placing six pro-law enforcement emblems at East Career Technical Academy. This happened shortly after other students staged a walkout to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The pro-ICE signs featured the school’s Titans logo alongside phrases like “ICE Immigration Enforcement,” “Border Patrol Academy Deportation Unit,” and “Titans ICE.”
The lawsuit was filed by NC’s father, George Crossman, on behalf of his son. The defendants in the case include the Clark County School District, East Career Technical Academy, Superintendent Joan Evert, Principal Natasha LeRutte, and Assistant Principal Thomas Smith.
School officials reportedly removed NC’s signs shortly before classes began. The following day, he was questioned and suspended, later being subjected to a limited expulsion.
Students decided to display pro-ICE signs to counter the anti-ICE sentiment following the January 21 walkout. According to the lawsuit, administrators did not intervene against the students involved in the protest, even enabling their demonstrations.
After the removal of NC’s signs, school authorities searched his Chromebook and reported finding various search terms related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including “Dark Secrets of Martin Luther King” and “MLK Assassination.”
In an alleged meeting, Superintendent Smith characterized NC’s actions as racist, comparing it to allegedly offensive messages. He interpreted the pro-ICE stance as racially motivated due to the majority Hispanic student population, framing it in a very contentious way. The lawsuit contends that this characterization was merely a façade, driven by personal and political disagreements rather than any real racial basis.
The complaint claims that the school district retaliated against NC for exercising his right to free speech. It seeks a jury trial, damages exceeding $15,000, and his reinstatement at the school.
In response, the Clark County School District issued a statement, acknowledging the importance of First Amendment rights while refraining from commenting on ongoing legal matters. Neither LeRutte nor Smith responded to requests for comment.
