A legal storm is brewing in Davidson County, North Carolina, as a student and his family have filed a lawsuit against the Davidson County Board of Education. The suit comes in the wake of a controversy over the suspension of sophomore Christian McGhee for using the term “illegal alien” during an English class. The Liberty Justice Center is representing the McGhee family in their fight for Christian’s rights to free speech, education, and due process.
The incident in question occurred last month when Christian raised his hand during a vocabulary lesson and asked his English teacher if a reference to the word “aliens” referred to “space aliens, or illegal aliens who need green cards.” This inquiry led to his suspension for three days and accusations of racism. The lawsuit argues that Christian’s question was a legitimate inquiry and that the school’s reaction was unwarranted and violated his constitutional rights.
The Davidson County community is divided over the incident, with many expressing outrage over the school board’s actions. At a recent board meeting, a large crowd of citizens voiced their support for the McGhee family and called for a public apology and the removal of the infraction from Christian’s record. The family has received support from high-profile individuals, including former President Donald Trump, who extended his support and even wrote a letter of recommendation for Christian.
The lawsuit was filed on May 7, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. It seeks to clear Christian’s name and address the broader implications of the case for free speech and political correctness in educational settings.
As the legal battle continues, the Davidson County community remains divided, with some standing by the school board’s actions and others rallying behind the McGhee family. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for the interpretation of free speech rights in educational institutions across the United States.