Photo: Daniel Church
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana’s attorney general is telling public schools to treat BLM as a political organization, and keep its materials out of the classroom. AG Todd Rokita yesterday sent a letter to schools across the state explaining that Black Lives Matter is ‘unequivocally a political organization.’ Although, it is also defined as a social movement.
Rokita says that displaying BLM materials while banning others could be a First Amendment violation. Rokita says schools in Indiana need ‘neutral, uniform policies that are applied in a consistent manner.’
The following as issued by the AG’s office:
In response to state lawmakers’ inquiries, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita today released an official advisory opinion categorizing Black Lives Matter (BLM) as a political organization that public schools should treat the same as other such groups.
“Black Lives Matter is unequivocally a political organization,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Promoting or displaying some politically based materials while prohibiting the promotion or display of others could create a liability for schools and could violate the First Amendment.”
By adopting neutral policies regarding the display of signs and other materials, Attorney General Rokita states in the advisory opinion, educational leaders can help “ensure the focus remains on the mission of our schools — educating our children.”
Attorney General Rokita produced the advisory opinion in response to a request from two state legislators — Sen. John Crane, R-Brownsburg, and Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland.
“I appreciate the Attorney General issuing this opinion regarding the Black Lives Matter movement,” Sen. Crane said. “At a time when too much of a student’s educational experience has been politicized, this opinion provides needed clarity about the underpinnings of the BLM movement, as well as reinforcing the importance of fair-minded presentations of all subject matter in our school classrooms. Our children in Indiana deserve a high-quality education that inspires their critical thinking in the pursuit of a society that truly dignifies all people.”
