A lawsuit involving a Portland, Oregon mother and her children’s school district concluded with Portland Public Schools withdrawing a trespass order. The order had been issued against the mother, Allison Roberts, because she opposed the district’s gender curriculum, per a legal group backing her.
In August, Allison Roberts sued Portland Public Schools after voicing her concerns the previous year about the repainting of a traditional rainbow pride flag at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School. The flag had been changed to an ‘Intersex-Inclusive Progress’ design to support racial inclusion and transgender rights. She also found that her child, aged 11, was given an ‘identity flower’ assignment requiring students to explore and discuss their gender identity with peers and educators.
Finding the school’s response unsatisfactory, Roberts penned an open letter to the community, which she distributed on a public sidewalk near the school. Following this, allegations of ‘harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior’ were directed at Roberts by the school, leading to a one-year trespass order that prevented her from attending school events, including her child’s graduation.
The Liberty Justice Center represented Roberts, stating that Portland Public Schools consented to retract her ban from the campus, permit her children to opt out of specific LGBTQ2SIA+ curriculum requirements, and reassess its nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies prior to a court hearing on her motion for a preliminary injunction.
Portland Public Schools confirmed rescinding the trespass notice in mid-November in a statement to Fox News Digital. The district stated, ‘PPS has and will continue to comply with all laws that serve and protect children.’
The lead attorney for the Liberty Justice Center’s PARENTS Initiative, Timothy Snowball, referred to these concessions as a ‘victory,’ arguing that they reflect the district’s acknowledgment of unconstitutional conduct. He indicated that the settlement followed a federal judge’s explanation of the district’s actions’ unconstitutionality.
An additional hearing is set for December 1 to address district policies that, according to Snowball, permit educators to withhold information from parents.
In a statement, Snowball emphasized that ‘Portland Public Schools attempted to silence a mother questioning her children’s school activities. Now, the district has agreed to withdraw its warning, reverse its campus ban, and affirm her free speech.’
Roberts previously shared with Fox News Digital that she had received considerable support for her legal efforts nationwide. ‘It has been heartening to witness the support pouring in from my local Portland community and parents and grandparents across the country,’ she said.
Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @lmkornick.