ACLU of Arkansas Statement on School Clubs Announcement by Governor Sanders

The following statement was issued by Holly Dickson, Executive Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, in response to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joining with Turning Point USA Chairperson and CEO Erika Kirk to call for the expansion of student chapters in all state schools:

Any public school’s Turning Point USA club would be a student club. Student clubs — by definition and under law — are unrelated to educational curriculum, and they are not sponsored or endorsed by any public school or official.

Students have the right to start student clubs. Student clubs must be led by students, free from government sponsorship and pressure from adults. The Governor promoting a student club to be in every high school and college in Arkansas is out of step with federal law and the rights of students.

The Governor’s endorsement of these student clubs only — to the exclusion of all other student clubs — is differential treatment based on the content or viewpoint of the clubs, and a problem under the First Amendment. This overstepping also flouts students’ rights as protected by the federal Equal Access Act.

Ironically, the Governor's actions may jeopardize the very clubs she is trying to support and force upon students, as school officials can and should deny access to clubs that are not led by students. Clubs that are not student initiated and that are endorsed by the government do not qualify to become student clubs.

Adults, including the Governor, must leave student clubs to students. Under the law, adults must not push for the formation of or meddle in the content and activities of student clubs in our public schools. The ACLU of Arkansas supports students and their rights, including to be free from interference or pressure from politicians.