Thomas More Society attorneys have achieved a victory on behalf of students at Rio Rancho Middle School in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Following receipt of a demand letter from the national nonprofit public interest law firm, school district administrators have reversed the unconstitutional denial of school-sponsored club status to a student pro-life group by the principal of the school. In response to the letter, Rio Rancho Public Schools publicly stated that the district now “would certainly allow a club of this nature.”

Thomas More Society Special Counsel Joan Mannix stated: “We appreciate that the Rio Rancho School District finally decided to honor the First Amendment rights of its students. Sadly, it took the threat of legal action for the school to recognize the rights they consistently previously denied students."

Mannix added, "The Thomas More Society pointed out that Principal Lynda Kitts was wrong to deny school-sponsored club status to a pro-life group at Rio Rancho Middle School. She stated such a club was ‘too controversial’ and that other students might disagree with the pro-life point-of-view. She refused to approve the pro-life club even after she was asked to reconsider her denial.”

In the previous school year, when student Dylan Fredette tried to start a Students for Life group at Rio Rancho Middle School, Kitts denied repeated requests. She claimed no memory of a November 2017 conversation in which she told the then-8th grader that she would not allow a pro-life club because it would not be “fair” to people who are “on the other side of the issue.” Dylan’s renewed request to Kitts in March 2018 included a copy of the proposed pro-life club’s constitution and confirmation that a faculty member was willing to act as the club’s advisor. Kitts never responded to Dylan’s renewed request.

Dylan’s brother, Isaiah Fredette, a current 7th grader at Rio Rancho Middle School, has formally requested to start the pro-life club that his older sibling was denied the opportunity to form.

Kristen Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, said: “Dylan and Isaiah showed tremendous courage in fighting back against their own school’s discrimination. They are great models for the pro-life generation. We are glad to see that the school is belatedly recognizing that constitutional protection extends to pro-life students as well. It’s unfortunate that it took the threat of legal action to accomplish that, but our students know that if their rights are violated, Students for Life of America will stand with them.”

Mannix added, “We are honored to partner with Students for Life of America for the work they do across the country and we will continue to stand beside them in this battle for First Amendment rights for pro-life students.”

Read the September 18, 2018 demand letter sent by the Thomas More Society to Rio Rancho Public Schools Superintendent Dr. V. Sue Cleveland and Rio Rancho Middle School Principal Lynda Kitts here.