Republican senators issue warning to historic museums ahead of pro-life rally: Respect free speech
First on Fox: Republican Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Todd Young, R-Indiana, are urging historic museums in Washington, D.C., to “respect” the First Amendment rights of pro-life protesters who are expected to descend on the city Friday.
“This peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights has historically provided participants with a positive and welcoming experience in our nation’s capital.”
Two years ago, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum dressed several Catholic students and their supporters in pro-life suits. Students and parishioners from Our Lady of the Rosary School in Greenville, South Carolina traveled to Washington, DC for the annual National March for Life. The team stood out in matching blue beanies emblazoned with the words “Rosary PRO-LIFE.”
Leaders from around the world react to President Trump’s return to the White House.
Sens. Todd Young and Ted Cruz pen letter warning museums to respect free speech rights of pro-life protesters. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
At the time, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), on behalf of some of the students’ parents, argued that museum staff mocked the group, used props, and that the museum was a “neutral zone” barring political and religious messages.
In the year On March 18, 2024, the Smithsonian Institution wore pro-life beanies with students evacuated from the National Air and Space Museum. Under the agreement, the Smithsonian agreed to visit and apologize to the students, revise its policy on clothing for religious and political speech to public-facing security staff, share video footage and investigative details of the incident, and pay $50,000.
Trump pardons every accused on January 6, but he says he’s just getting started
People take part in the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall on January 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
“While we are happy that the victims of this harassment have received justice, it is clear that this should never have happened in the first place. No amount of money can take away from the truth of what exactly happened: officers with badges and force of the federal government blatantly threatened and violated the First Amendment rights of peaceful students,” the senators said last week. Wrote for the museum.
“Furthermore, American taxpayers foot the bill for the abysmal behavior and inadequate training of Smithsonian Institution staff. This cannot happen again,” he said.
TRUMP TO DEPLOY TROOPS TO BORDER, END BIDEN’S PAROLE POLICIES WITH ONE-DAY FLY ORDER.
People attend the annual March for Life rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court on January 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
That same year, NARA filed a lawsuit in December 2023 after employees asked visitors to remove pro-life clothing during the March for Life protest earlier that year. The visitors, represented by the ACLJ, claimed their First Amendment rights had been violated. NARA apologized, admitted the incident violated its policies, and agreed to pay $10,000 in legal fees while implementing employee training to prevent future violations.
The senators urged the institutions to respond to whether the institutions have respected their previous policies regarding the treatment of visitors who display religious or political messages, and to remind employees of policies that protect freedom of speech. NARA is being asked to commit to maintaining these safeguards after the key order expires in January 2025. Both agencies have been asked to provide a detailed explanation of their actions and arrangements.
Click here to access the FOX NEWS app
Smithsonian Institution spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Mason said in an email to Fox News Digital: “We are dealing with the senators.”
NARA did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline.
