A hot button social issue in a suburban school district a group of students in Gretna is demanding to assemble during school hours.
But administrators are telling the anti-abortion group called Dragons For Life if they want to meet, they can do so before school.
Students for Life of America and the Thomas More Society calls on Gretna High School to respect students’ First Amendment rights saying the school has unconstitutionally discriminated against the group's president by denying her the right to form a school sponsored club so they don't have to meet before school.
“I wont stand by and watch our students rights be violated,” said Gretna junior Bridget Christensen.
She is disappointed her school will not officially sponsor her group saying this is pure discrimination.
“I think that it's important our school doesn't discriminate against us just because we are pro-life and allows all students’ point of views to be heard,” said Christensen.
Dragons For Life is currently a school-recognized group--meaning it can meet before school-not during the school day. The regional director of students for life says that isn't fair.
“Meeting before school is really inconvenient for Bridget and the other members especially because most of the members are in band so meeting at 7:15 am is not fair when the other groups are meeting during homeroom,” said Reagan Barklage.
Gretna's superintenden said the district's lawyer met with Dragons For Life students about sponsoring the group which fits in with other school-recognized groups like "Prayer Around the Pole" and “Campus Life” who aren't school-sponsored.
“They pretty much brought us in and said that's not going to happen and that's because we are too political we're too religious and we're too controversial,” said Christensen.
Controversial or not-Christensen says she'll keep fighting until this is resolved.
“This is totally unfair.”
Students For Life of America and the Thomas More Society said they give the school a deadline of two weeks to decide on this issue--and if it doesn't allow the group to become school sponsored--they are threatening to sue.