The superintendent of Senatobia High School in Mississippi dropped charges on Monday against those who were cheering at the school’s graduation ceremony.
Superintendent Jay Foster has received national media attention and criticism since issuing warrants against four family members for “disturbing the peace” at the May 21 ceremony. The warrants carried a fine of up to $500 and jail time for up to six months.
Foster defended himself, saying that he was seeking to protect the rights of the graduates and that yelling at the ceremony has been out of control in past years. Foster is hoping the warrants will serve as a deterrent at future ceremonies, so attendees will know there are consequences for cheering.
“We felt like at this point that we had accomplished our goal,” Foster told the Associated Press, “which was, if you disrupt the ceremony, not only could you be escorted out, but you could face possible charges. It’s really nothing more than a ticket, but it could cost you.”
One of the family members involved in the incident is hoping to take legal action herself. Linda Walker, whose son was one of the four people served arrest warrants, is still angry with Foster and is reportedly talking to a lawyer.
“[The dropped charge] saves me some time, but it’s going to cost them some money,” Walker said. “I’m not done with him. He done got my baby’s name all over the world. We’re not done.”
The Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released at statement late last week, responding to the charges.
“The First Amendment of the United States Constitution clearly prohibits the making of any law that would impede the freedom of speech,” said ACLU Mississippi Legal Director Charles Irvin. “Citizens should be able to enjoy the right of free speech, especially at a congratulatory event, like a high school graduation. The cheering by the family does not qualify as a disturbance of the peace and should not have elicited a criminal response.”
