06/16/2026
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools just paid $95K for a lesson on the First Amendment. That payment is part of a settlement with Gabby Stout—the high school student who painted a patriotic tribute to Charlie Kirk on a spirit rock last year.
Although Gabby had gotten permission—and although other students had been allowed to paint messages in support of causes like Black Lives Matter—school officials responded to Gabby’s message by painting over it, publicly accusing her of vandalism, interrogating her at school, and calling the police.
Alliance Defending Freedom helped Gabby sue the district late last year. Now, besides the payment, the district has issued a statement of regret for its actions and changed its policies to respect students’ free speech rights.
Schools can’t censor student speech just because they don’t like its message. ADF is thrilled to get this vindication for Gabby, who courageously lived out her own admonition to “live like Kirk.” I think Charlie would be proud.
