Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

James48

(4,804 posts)
Tue Apr 15, 2025, 11:51 PM Tuesday

Students at Pentagon schools sue Hegseth over book bans on race and gender

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: The Guardian

Twelve students studying in Pentagon schools in the US and around the world are suing the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, over the book bans he has instigated to remove titles on race and gender from their libraries.

A lawsuit lodged on the students’ behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Tuesday argues that their first amendment rights are being irreparably harmed. The complaint says that the censorship has been applied system-wide across Pentagon schools, and was endangering children by preventing them from learning critical information about health, hygiene, biology and abuse. The legal action targets Hegseth, the former Fox News host, who has been aggressively pursuing the censorship drive as part of Donald Trump’s war on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It also names as a defendant the head of the Pentagon school system, Beth Schiavino-Narvaez. It blames both for violating the students’ first amendment rights by culling library books, and by making curricula changes such as cancelling Women’s and Black History month.

At the center of the lawsuit is the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the federal school system that runs kindergarten through 12th grade schools. It serves about 67,000 children of both active-duty and civilian personnel in the US military.

Though the schools are run by the Pentagon, they are civilian in status and as such their students have the same first amendment rights as any other US child. The 12 students acting as plaintiffs in the case come from five families ranging from pre-kindergarten to high school in DoDEA schools in the US, Italy and Japan.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/15/pentagon-school-students-sue-hegseth-book-bans



Good luck - that is going to be an interesting case.
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Students at Pentagon schools sue Hegseth over book bans on race and gender (Original Post) James48 Tuesday OP
How long until Hegseth closes the schools? IronLionZion Tuesday #1
Hope they are successful, but it will be a long, hard fight. Silent Type Wednesday #2
Very good. J_William_Ryan Wednesday #3
AFTER a review by forum hosts LOCKING Omaha Steve Wednesday #4

IronLionZion

(48,488 posts)
1. How long until Hegseth closes the schools?
Tue Apr 15, 2025, 11:57 PM
Tuesday

He might fire the teachers and sell the buildings first for some DOGE style efficiency. Then close the schools for indoctrinating kids into liberals. They can learn from statues instead of books

Silent Type

(8,975 posts)
2. Hope they are successful, but it will be a long, hard fight.
Wed Apr 16, 2025, 12:12 AM
Wednesday

J_William_Ryan

(2,646 posts)
3. Very good.
Wed Apr 16, 2025, 12:25 AM
Wednesday

In addition to being a First Amendment violation, Trump’s meritless war on ‘DEI’ is motivated by racism, bigotry, and hate.

Omaha Steve

(105,229 posts)
4. AFTER a review by forum hosts LOCKING
Wed Apr 16, 2025, 09:27 AM
Wednesday

DUPE of https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143441134

Statement of Purpose
Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Students at Pentagon scho...