A minor controversy in an Ohio middle school erupts when a father files a federal civil rights lawsuit defending his eighth-grade son's right to wear politically charged apparel.
The Independent reports that Richard Conrad initiated legal action against his son's teacher, principal, and school district after the student received detention for repeatedly wearing a "Let's Go Brandon" T-shirt despite being asked to stop.
The phrase "Let's Go Brandon" gained notoriety in 2021 as a coded conservative message meaning "F**k Joe Biden," originating from a NASCAR event where a reporter mistakenly interpreted crowd chants.
The student, identified as C.C. in court documents, faced multiple disciplinary actions for wearing the controversial shirt between November 2024 and March 2025.
The conflict began when teacher Krista Ferini first noticed C.C.'s shirt beneath an unbuttoned flannel top in November 2024. She instructed him to button up his outer shirt, acknowledging the hidden meaning behind the slogan. Later that day, when C.C. removed his flannel during band practice due to the heat, the situation escalated.
Principal Andrew Kepple became involved, directing C.C. to keep his flannel on and instructing him not to wear the controversial shirt again. The student's father and grandfather later met with Kepple to discuss the situation, with the principal explaining the coded nature of the slogan.
The situation intensified when C.C. continued wearing the shirt despite warnings. During one confrontation, Ferini questioned whether the student enjoyed offending people, to which C.C. responded dismissively.
According to attorney Josh Brown, who represents C.C., the student faced additional consequences after wearing the shirt again on the day the lawsuit was filed. These repercussions included in-school suspension and potential exclusion from a class trip to an amusement park.
The lawsuit challenges the school district's dress code enforcement, arguing that it grants excessive discretion to faculty members without proper accountability. The complaint specifically notes that the code "provides no clarity" regarding students' freedom of speech.
Conrad's legal team cites a 1969 Supreme Court ruling establishing that students retain their constitutional rights within school grounds, though these rights can be limited in certain circumstances.
The lawsuit argues that C.C.'s expression did not interfere with educational activities and claims the school selectively enforces its policies. According to the complaint:
C.C.'s expression did not and does not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activity. Defendants' policy and practice give unbridled discretion to school officials by permitting them to forbid messages that they personally deem to be offensive and allow messages they personally do not deem offensive.
The legal action seeks several remedies, including an injunction against the school's dress code enforcement, permission for C.C. to wear his anti-Biden shirt, and monetary damages to be determined by a jury, plus attorney fees.
A father and son's stand against school authorities has transformed into a significant legal battle over student expression rights in Ohio schools. Richard Conrad filed the federal civil rights lawsuit after his eighth-grade son received multiple disciplinary actions for wearing a "Let's Go Brandon" T-shirt, defying school officials' requests to stop. The case now awaits court proceedings, where a judge will determine whether the school's dress code enforcement violates the student's constitutional rights to free speech while balancing educational institutions' authority to maintain an appropriate learning environment.
