The Daily A Cheerleader, a Snapchat Post and the Supreme Court
May 25, 2021
Adam Liptak, a Supreme Court reporter for The New York Times, dives into a compelling legal case involving Brandi Levy, who faced a year-long cheerleading suspension for a Snapchat rant. The discussion centers on the First Amendment and the tricky balance schools must maintain regarding off-campus speech. Liptak analyzes how historic rulings influence current student rights and debates about social media's role in education. He highlights differing legal perspectives on school authority, free speech, and the impact of the digital age on student expression.
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Snapchat Suspension
- 14-year-old Brandi Levy was suspended from cheerleading for a year after posting a Snapchat venting frustration.
- The post, containing expletives and directed at school activities, was shared with friends off-campus.
School's Justification
- The school justified the suspension by citing concerns about sportsmanship, team camaraderie, and potential chaos.
- They believed Levy's Snapchat post would cause "grave damage" to the cheerleading team.
Levy's Lawsuit
- Levy's parents, with ACLU support, sued the school and won, getting her reinstated.
- A federal appeals court ruled broadly that off-campus speech is beyond school jurisdiction.