BUSH ADMINISTRATION SUED FOR ATTACK ON 1ST AMENDMENT

[acmavm]

RIGHTS OF HEAD START INSTRUCTORS AND PARENTS/VOLUNTEERS
National Head Start Association Sees Obvious and Severe Free-Speech Problems with Attempt to Silence Critics of White House/GOP House Bill

<snip>

The National Head Start Association (NHSA) filed todayin U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia a lawsuit seeking to overturn a Bush Administration effort to chill the First Amendment free-speech rights of 51,681 Head Start teachers and more than 870,000 parent volunteers who have serious concerns about a controversial White House plan now pending before the U.S. House to dismantle the Head Start program serving one million at-risk children across America.

The civil lawsuit, National Head Start Association v. Department of Health and Human Services, is being brought on behalf of NHSA and its approximately 1,100 members (which receive and administer Head Start funds) and the parents and staff of those organizations. The motion for preliminary injunction asks the federal district court to enjoin any action related to a May 8, 2003 letter from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) official warning all local Head Start staff and parent/volunteers of possible civil and criminal penalties if they speak out against an extremely controversial Bush Administration proposal to gut the Head Start program.

-MORE-

http://www.nhsa.org/news/index_news_06112003.htm

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Funny, there seems to be a trend here. No one is taking it anymore.

[DagmarK]

1. Yes, quite the trend.......

Good for them!!!

This is getting good. I have not had any hope since 9/11......

[wtmusic]

2. This is unfuckingbelievable

Read the text of the letter from the administration:

http://www.saveheadstart.org/Bush_Administration_letter_to_HS_officials.pdf

"If a grantee has done this (engaged in political activities), it must prove that Federal funds, or resources purchased with those funds—such as Head Start staff time and facilities—were not used as requested by the advocacy group."

If HeadStart employees engage in political activities, THEY MUST PROVE that it was on their own time. The admin is trying to gut HeadStart and at the same time intimidate any employees from speaking out about it. This lawsuit has merit and hopefully they will not only kick the admin's ass but draw attention to the dismantling of HeadStart.

[TankLV]

6. just remind them (the bunker-boy crowd) that if THEY can -with a straight

face) claim and maintain that giving taxpayer funds to religious groups can be separated (on their word alone) from their religious funds, then they can assume these employees can too!

[deek]

3. more good news!!! n/t

.

[DagmarK]

4. Kick. n/t

*

[9215]

5. Didn't HeadStart survive the Raygun budget axe

because it could provide verification of its efficacy? I vaguely remember something about this.

[PBinOregon]

7. Bump

This is very good--fighting these guys full out is the only way to deal with them.