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THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE

3rd Grade Lawsuit Proves You're Not Too Young To Defend Liberty

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religious freedompublic schoolscensorshipeducationfreedom of expression
3rd Grade Lawsuit Proves You're Not Too Young To Defend Liberty

What it is

A third-grade student in Simpson County, Mississippi, has become a symbol of religious freedom after a legal battle over her right to wear a mask with the words "Jesus Loves Me" during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent address to the Presidential Religious Liberty Commission, Lydia Booth recounted her experience of being told she could not wear the mask at school, which she initially wore without issue.

Why it matters

  • After reviewing school directives and speaking with other parents, Booth's mother could not find any rule prohibiting masks with words
  • Despite this, the school principal later claimed that a handbook rule prevented religious statements on masks
  • When pressed for details, the principal was unable to locate the rule in the handbook
  • In a subsequent conversation, the assistant superintendent acknowledged that the rule was not in the handbook but claimed it was part of the district's COVID Restart Plan
  • This led Booth's family to file a lawsuit against the school district, asserting that their rights were being violated
  • Censorship Could Affect Americans]/2025/09/04/media/farage-warns-u-k-censorship-could-affect-americans/

Key facts

Timeline & recent coverage

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Primary sources

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