Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Coal Region Canary
Coal Region CanaryCoal Region Canary

Local News

SCOTUS to Hear Mahanoy Cheerleader Free Speech Case Today

mahanoy area cheer case supreme court bl v mahanoy area school district

mahanoy area cheer case supreme court bl v mahanoy area school district

On Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court will hear the case of Mahanoy Area School District v. BL.

Judicial experts are calling it the most consequential student free speech case in at least a decade. And it all started one afternoon in Mahanoy City when a frustrated freshman cheerleader at Mahanoy Area High School found out she didn’t make the varsity squad for her sophomore year.

She, listed as BL in the case before the Supreme Court and now identified as Brandi Levy, opened up her Snapchat app and unloaded on the decision. Her message read: “F*** school F*** softball F*** cheer F*** everything”.

The message found its way in front of the eyes of the school’s cheerleading coach, who suspended Levy from the cheerleading team for the year.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

The Levy family decided to fight back and sued Mahanoy Area School District. And they won. In fact, they’ve won in every lower court possible leading up to today’s arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States.

That’s because Mahanoy Area is fighting all those lower court decisions. School officials believe they should have the right to police a student’s social media activity as it relates to school activities.

The Levys argue that Mahanoy Area has no right to monitor or react to comments made on social media, especially off school grounds.

Oral arguments before the Supreme Court justices begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Arguing on behalf of Mahanoy Area will be Lisa Schiavo Blatt, of the law firm of Williams & Connolly LLP, Washington DC. The Levy will be represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and attorney David Cole

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

The oral arguments will air live on C-SPAN at 10 a.m. We’ll post a link to view it live right here on The Canary closer to the court time.

We also have a conversation lined up with the Levys Wednesday evening to get their reaction to today’s proceedings before the Supreme Court.

ACLU told The Canary on Tuesday that it doesn’t expect a ruling from the justices until probably late-June.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

 

 

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!
Loading

News Tips?

Let us know of news happening in your area. Use our NEWS TIPS ENTRY FORM
1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Tommy

    April 29, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    She’s lucky times have changed, she through a temper tantrum because she couldnt make varsity, boo hoo, back when I went to school, Sister Regina would have smashed my knuckles with a ruler if she found out I said the F word, possibly a good paddling in front of class too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More From The Canary

Local News

Police investigation ongoing

Schuylkill County Police News

A hand railing, sign and window victims of the rage.

Schuylkill County Police News

A designated driver is ALWAYS a good idea.

Local News

Sentence handed down earlier this week.

Local News

State Police bomb squad called in

Local Community News

Deadline for sign-ups is fast approaching.

Local News

Investigation ongoing, police say

Local News

Subdued ceremony held on Garfield Square Monday.

Local News

Schuylkill Indivisible says debt ceiling is not a budget negotiation.

Schuylkill County Police News

Incident happened on May 27

Local News

Opposing Republicans present strong argument on 'No' vote

Advertisement https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147