A federal judge has ordered the Camdenton R-III School District to stop using its Internet filtering software to restrict access to websites about gay, lesbian and transgender issues. The American Civil Liberties Union sued the district on behalf of organizations whose websites are blocked by the filter. ACLU attorney Tony Rothert says the district’s filtering system violates First Amendment rights, engaging in ‘viewpoint discrimination’ by blocking access to websites supportive of LGBT issues:
Under terms of the ruling by U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey, the district has 30 days to remove the Internet filters:
ACLU attorney Tony Rothert tells what happens next:
Camdenton school officials say they’re considering their options, but Superintendent Tim Hatfield released a written statement saying the district “stands by its position that it has acted in the best interest of its students and will continue to do so. The District does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination against any of its students and supports the rights of its students to receive information.”
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