Alliance Defending Freedom and the parents of Ardrey Kell High School student Gabby Stout have alleged that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education violated Stout’s constitutional rights by removing a religious and patriotic message she painted on the school’s “spirit rock.”
The group has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the district’s actions and revised speech code may restrict protected expression. The complaint states that Stout received verbal approval to paint a tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who had recently died.
The lawsuit claims Stout was pulled from class, forced to write a statement, and surrendered her phone without being informed of her rights.
Stout said, “I was completely shocked.” She added, “I was very intimidated and scared as I had no idea what I did wrong or that I could be getting in trouble for simply sharing and expressing my views and beliefs.”…