I, for one, am very pleased to see them defend such speech, even if I very much doubt that they will ultimately succeed.

Technically the ACLU is correct if free speech is taken as unlimited, but the fact is all speech is limited and controlled up to certain "reasonable" restrictions. For example, it is a crime to yell "fire" in a crowded movie theater, and a company may be opening itself up to liability and sanctions if they print misleading information about their products (or advertise products, such as cigarettes, in a medium that is now barred from such use, like television and magazines).

Children, being minors, do not have full rights and can therefore be legally limited from using their civil rights by their legal guardians and custodial parents. Since the child is in school, the school is deemed as a legal guardian, and consequently can curtail, limit, or otherwise delineate certain rights and privileges that adults possess. Under that argument the school had every right to limit the student from wearing the shirt.

The reason I am personally pleased that the ACLU is taking on this case is frankly because as of late the organization has been much less vociferous and supportive of conservatives in trouble. Being painted as a liberal organization, the ACLU tends to champion causes that almost invariably set off conservatives and excite progressives. This case should do the opposite, and should bring more balance to certain valid debates being put forth by both sides on the political spectrum.

I get freedom of speech, but in a school setting, school staff serves "In loco parentis" which means basically that the school staff serves as the parent of the child. Schools have routinely put limits on what students wear when what they wear advocates drugs, alcohol or messages of hate.

I think that school districts are justified in their actions.

I think it's great that the ACLU is seeking legal clarification on these issues, but I think in the end, their efforts will be unsuccessful.

Conservatives attack the ACLU because usually it winds up on the opposite side of cases from them. But the ACLU has always supported free speech even when they disagree with it, and the ACLU has always tried to get a day in court for people with unpopular opinions.

This newspaper article discusses the case a bit more and describes why the ACLU think they have a constitutional argument:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091124/ARTICLES/911241001/1002

Note that it is not just that the school system has prohibited the t-shirt slogan. The school has prohibited one side of the shirt without prohibiting the slogan on the other side. The other side is a pro-Jesus slogan.

Well, you can't do that. If religious slogans on t-shirts are too disruptive for school, you have to ban them all. A school board can't show favoritism to one religious slogan over another.

The school board could adopt a school uniform, or maybe ban all slogans on shirts. It can't be inconsistent about it.

Whether or not the ACLU wins the case, or simply gets the school board to issue clear and fair rules, it is good that the ACLU is there to bring constitutional issues to this and so many other low level government bodies which have little legal knowledge and lots of prejudices for and against emotional things.

The message may be wrong, but defending the right to display the message is absolutely correct.

I'm not sure why the ACLU chose to participate in this particular fight, however. This is a somewhat nasty bit of hate speech they're going out of their way to protect, and schools are often given some latitude when it comes to keeping their students in order. It's not unlikely that the ACLU will prevail, but I think this is a situation that would have been better to ignore.

Do you all believe that it is freedom to hurt anyone's belief? Coz I don't!
A Muslim child has the right of being respected like any other child! This is not freedom. This is silly discrimination based on ignorance and issued of people who think they are right and that they are the best while they are killing people all over the world! and I am not Muslim nor do I intend to "enroll" in any organized religion! For they all lead to fanatism!

I agree that everyone should have freedom of speech or freedom of expression. At the same time, I wish that no one should have the "Freedom of racism" or "Freedom of religious discrimination". If you look at the sentence, you can easily say whether it is simply an expression or it is a 'religions discrimination'. I believe that we all belong to the one human family and anything that spreads hatred among us should be stopped immediately. ACLU has done a bad job in this regard.

I would agree with those who have posted before, that they do have the civil right to wear these shirts. And it may seem like a nasty piece of hate speech but lets take a closer look at the situation it is refering to. While maybe not the view of all Muslims, many believe, as their Imam's (or preachers) have declared, that by killing an infidel they are assured a place in heaven. The question then comes to, "what is an infidel"? Technically speaking an infidel is anyone who does not believe in the faith of Islam. From this perspective it is easy to see how someone could declare Islam of the Devil.

As a Christian I am guaranteed a place in heaven because of the Sacrifice that Jesus Christ has made for me. Because I am guaranteed that place I am told to love those around me, Muslims, Jews, fellow believes, non-believers... It is hard not to have strong feelings about a religion that has commanded many of its follower to kill me.

Now I am not saying that all Muslims feel this calling or are commanded in this way. It is still a troubling place for me to watch as all of these people are decieved into believing in their profets. There is only one God and that is the God of the Bible. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father execpt through me." "I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! ... I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep." (John 14:6 & 10:1,7)

Hell is real and the devil is very very tricky. He will find anyway he can to lead people astray of the one true Lord. Islam is one of the devil's many tricks as are many or our worldly and selfish desires. Don't be decieved by false profits. Talk to someone at your local church and as about the only absolute truth in this chaotic world.