A group of parents and grandparents in New Hampshire filed a lawsuit Monday against a school district over their exclusion from a girls soccer game for protesting a transgender player.
Kyle Fellers, Anthony Foote, Nicole Foote, Eldon Rush federal lawsuit He competed against the Bow School District, Superintendent Marcy Kelly, Principal Matt Fisk, Athletic Director Mike Desilets, Bow Police Lt. Phil Ramey and football referee Steve Rossetti.
According to the complaint, Fellers and Anthony Foote used a “symbolizing the female chromosome structure and expressing biological support” during a Sept. 17 girls soccer game between Bow High School and Plymouth Regional High School. He was suspended for wearing a pink wristband that read “XX.'' female athlete.
The “silent protest” at Bow High School was meant to “show solidarity” with Bow's team and oppose a policy allowing transgender girls to play on Plymouth's team, according to the complaint. That was the purpose.
New Hampshire parent banned from daughter's soccer game for wearing armband supporting women's sports
A group of New Hampshire parents is suing a school district over their exclusion from a girls soccer game for protesting transgender players. (Getty Images)
According to the complaint, Bow School officials and police officers confronted the plaintiffs during the game and told them to remove their wristbands. However, when the plaintiff refused to remove his wristband, the referee reportedly paused the match and stated that if he did not remove the wristband, Bowe would forfeit the match.
Following the incident, Ferrars and Anthony Foote were issued with a “no-trespassing order” banning them from entering school grounds or events, including not allowing them to pick up their children from after-school practices. Anthony Foote was suspended until Sept. 23, and Ferrers was barred from returning for the remainder of the fall semester.
“Parents do not waive their First Amendment rights at the door of a school soccer field,” Ferrers said. stated in a statement. “We wore pink wristbands and silently supported our daughters and their right to fair competition. Instead of fostering an open dialogue, school officials We responded with threats and bans that directly impact children's lives. And this fight is about more than just protecting our fundamental right to free speech. ”
The “silent protest” at Bow High School was meant to “show solidarity” with Bow's team and oppose a policy allowing transgender girls to play on Plymouth's team, according to the complaint. That was the purpose. (Alison Diener/AFP via Getty Images)
The lawsuit alleges the “unconstitutional application” of several school policies that require “mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct” and prohibit conduct that “injures, intimidates, harasses, intimidates,” or “disrupts or delays.” ” is sought to be prevented. Interfering with or disrupting school activities or events. ”
The plaintiffs told the court that political or social conduct at school events, such as quietly wearing wristbands or holding signs opposing transgender girls competing for girls' rights, was prohibited. It called on schools to prohibit the use of these policies to restrict the non-destructive expression of views. sports team.
“The idea that I would be censored and threatened with exclusion from public events for adhering to my beliefs is not just a personal affront, it is a violation of the very rights I am sworn to protect.” Anthony Mr. Foote said. “I spent 31 years in the U.S. Army, including three combat tours, but the school district in the town where I was born, a historic town that has been in my family for seven generations, stripped me of those rights. Sometimes I wonder if I should be here, not abroad, fighting for our rights. ”
Republican governor explains why he ordered schools to ban transgender athletes from girls' sports
The lawsuit seeks to block the “unconstitutional application” of several school policies. (Getty Images)
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Earlier this month, a federal judge temporarily blocked a New Hampshire law that prohibits transgender women from playing on sports teams based on their preferred gender identity.
