[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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

“Pro-life students shouldn’t be discriminated against because of their beliefs,” he said. “The students weren’t asking for special treatment.”