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[02.04.08] The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) dropped a federal lawsuit in late January against a high school in the San Jose, Calif., area that had denied a student-based, pro-life group permission to form on its campus.
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The case dated back to October when Paria Amini, a 17-year-old student at Westmont High School, attempted to gain approval for her pro-life club but, according to the ADF, was denied official status along with all rights, benefits and privileges that other recognized groups receive.
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School officials also allegedly denied her club any avenue for promotion and for telling other students the club even existed, because it was too controversial.
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But ADF lawyer David Cortman said public schools must take the constitutional rights of pro-life students just as seriously as they do those of other students.
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“Pro-life students shouldn’t be discriminated against because of their beliefs,” he said. “The students weren’t asking for special treatment.”