ACT NOW to Demand MCPS Apologize, Retract Anti-Free Speech Letter Targeting Palestinian Advocacy
Recently, Montgomery County Public Schools' (MCPS) Sherwood High School Principal Tim Britton sent a deeply troubling letter to families that mischaracterizes and censors a graduating student’s peaceful expression of solidarity with Palestinians amidst Israel's ongoing genocide.
In a senior yearbook quote, the student included the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” — a slogan used by many to express hope for a future of equality and justice for Palestinians. In response, Principal Britton effusively apologized, provided students stickers to cover the quote, and offered a full refund - expressing that the student who selected this quote “displayed serious contrition” and “had apologized to the entire graduating class publicly."
This is a clear violation of free speech rights.
WHY IT MATTERS: Students have a constitutional right to express their political and human rights views — including support for Palestinian freedom. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) must not allow censorship and viewpoint discrimination to chill students’ advocacy or silence dissent.
TAKE ACTION: Demand that Montgomery County Public Schools:
- Retract the letter and its harmful, misleading implications.
- Apologize to the student and all affected members of the school community.
- Affirm that students’ First Amendment rights include the right to express support for human rights including for Palestinians.
- Adopt clear guidelines protecting student speech on political and human rights issues.
