A Kansas teen who refused to apologize to Gov. Sam Brownback for an insulting tweet got an apology today from the governor himself for his staffs over-reaction.
An unpleasant tweet by Emma Sullivan, 18, was flagged by Brownbacks staff last week. The teen was told by her principal at Shawnee Mission East High School to apologize, but she refused, and the national brouhaha has led to her Twitter following soar from 60 to more than 6,000.
My staff over-reacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize. Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms, Brownback said in a statement.
Confronted with a stubborn teenager who insisted on her right to free speech, the school district earlier today dropped its request that Sullivan write an apology and said it will leave that decision up to her. The district also fought back against accusations that it was stifling her freedom of speech.
The district acknowledges a students right to freedom of speech and expression is constitutionally protected. The district has not censored Miss Sullivan nor infringed upon her freedom of speech, said a statement. She is not required to write a letter of apology to the Governor. Whether and to whom any apologies are issued will be left to the individuals involved.
Sullivan had refused to back down, saying over the weekend that an apology would be insincere.
Emma decided that it wouldnt be sincere for her to apologize, and she didnt want to give any more power to the governor, Sullivans sister, Olivia, told ABC News. If hes able to control what she says any further, it would be unfortunate that she didnt get the right to exercise her free speech.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politic...en-wont-apologize-to-gov-her-following-soars/
An unpleasant tweet by Emma Sullivan, 18, was flagged by Brownbacks staff last week. The teen was told by her principal at Shawnee Mission East High School to apologize, but she refused, and the national brouhaha has led to her Twitter following soar from 60 to more than 6,000.
My staff over-reacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize. Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms, Brownback said in a statement.
Confronted with a stubborn teenager who insisted on her right to free speech, the school district earlier today dropped its request that Sullivan write an apology and said it will leave that decision up to her. The district also fought back against accusations that it was stifling her freedom of speech.
The district acknowledges a students right to freedom of speech and expression is constitutionally protected. The district has not censored Miss Sullivan nor infringed upon her freedom of speech, said a statement. She is not required to write a letter of apology to the Governor. Whether and to whom any apologies are issued will be left to the individuals involved.
Sullivan had refused to back down, saying over the weekend that an apology would be insincere.
Emma decided that it wouldnt be sincere for her to apologize, and she didnt want to give any more power to the governor, Sullivans sister, Olivia, told ABC News. If hes able to control what she says any further, it would be unfortunate that she didnt get the right to exercise her free speech.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politic...en-wont-apologize-to-gov-her-following-soars/
