Michigan School District Sued for Banning “Let’s Go Brandon” Sweatshirts

A pair of students from Michigan are taking legal action against their school district because they were not allowed to wear sweatshirts to class with the political phrase “Let’s Go Brandon” printed on them.

The middle school students claim that they have the right to protest against the President of the United States. However, the school district argues that the sweatshirts are indecent and that they have the authority to ban such material.

“Criticism of the president is core political speech protected by the First Amendment. Whether it’s a Biden sticker, ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ sweatshirt or gay pride T-shirt, schools can’t pick and choose which political beliefs students can express,” attorney Conor Fitzpatrick stated in a statement on Tuesday.

As per the legal complaint, the assistant principal allegedly informed one of the boys that their sweatshirt was tantamount to using the F-word. The lawsuit says, however, “The slogan ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ conveys the same opposition to President Biden, sanitized to express the sentiment without using profanity or vulgarity,” it is not “lewd, profane, indecent, vulgar or obscene.”

After the incidents involving the sweatshirts, lawyers sent a letter to the school district in late May 2022, warning of legal action if the ban was not lifted. Despite the threat, the district remained firm in its decision to uphold the prohibition.

The legal case involves two siblings, referred to only as D.A. and X.A., who are a seventh-grader and a high school freshman, respectively. The reason behind the lawsuit stems from an incident in February 2022, when D.A. wore his “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirt to Tri County Middle School. According to the lawsuit, the assistant principal stopped him and demanded that he remove the shirt, stating that it was “equivalent to the F-word.” D.A. complied but was later stopped again by a teacher who also instructed him to remove the shirt, threatening him with punishment if he did not comply.

When D.A.’s older brother X.A. wore a similar sweatshirt to school three months later, he was also ordered to remove it by the assistant principal, who cited the school’s policy against political speech. The brothers’ lawyers argue that this policy is discriminatory, as the school allegedly allows students to wear clothing with LGBTQ and gay pride messages.

The boys’ mother, whose identity is being protected, expressed frustration with the school district’s actions and commended her sons for standing up for their First Amendment rights.

The “Let’s Go Brandon” chant started in October 2021 at the NASCAR Xfinity Series race held at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, USA. The chant was directed towards driver Brandon Brown, who had just won the race, but was being interviewed by a reporter while the crowd in the background was chanting “F*** Joe Biden.” The reporter interpreted the chant as “Let’s Go Brandon,” which became a viral phrase and meme on social media.