Breaking news: Court rules graduation speech ban unconstitutional

Court: Graduation speech ban unconstitutional

MATT VOLZ ,Associated Press

HELENA (AP) — The Montana Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a former Butte High School valedictorian who was banned from speaking at her graduation because her speech contained religious references.

The Supreme Court on Friday reversed a lower court's ruling that Renee Griffith's civil rights were not violated when school officials refused to let her speak with nine other valedictorians at the 2008 graduation.

Officials reviewed the speech and said she had to remove references to God and Christ. Griffiths refused and she was not permitted to speak.

Supreme Court justices ruled that the officials violated her rights to free speech and to freedom of religion under the U.S. and Montana constitutions.

HELENA — The Montana Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a former Butte High School valedictorian who was banned from speaking at her graduation because her speech contained religious references.

The Supreme Court on Friday reversed a lower court's ruling that Renee Griffith's civil rights were not violated when school officials refused to let her speak with nine other valedictorians at the 2008 graduation.

Officials reviewed the speech and said she had to remove references to God and Christ. Griffiths refused and she was not permitted to speak.

Supreme Court justices ruled that the officials violated her rights to free speech and to freedom of religion under the U.S. and Montana constitutions.