Student's Charlie Kirk Tribute at Charlotte High School Leads to Policy Changes, $95K Settlement
The district will pay $95,000 and adopt a new policy after settling claims that officials violated a student’s free speech and religious rights.
- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board agreed to pay $95,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging it violated a student's constitutional rights to religious freedom and free speech after the student painted a tribute to Charlie Kirk on the Ardrey Kell spirit rock.
- On September 14, 2025, Stout painted 'Live Like Kirk' and 'Freedom 1776' on the Ardrey Kell spirit rock with permission from school officials, but hours later they painted over the references and publicly accused her of vandalism.
- Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the student challenged restrictions banning religious statements. The Board recently reaffirmed that the painting did not violate student conduct policies and was not an act of vandalism.
- Last week, board members approved a new student free speech policy clarifying what speech is protected versus restricted, addressing allegations the district violated the student's constitutional rights to religious freedom.
- Rev. Franklin Graham, noting the student faced online bullying, expressed hope the settlement would deter other schools from violating students' speech and religious freedom rights.
29 Articles
29 Articles
School Pays $95K to Settle Charlie Kirk Free Speech Lawsuit
A North Carolina school district agreed Monday to pay $95,000 to settle a student’s lawsuit after her school painted over her tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk shortly after his assassination. A high school junior at Ardrey Kell High School secured permission to paint “Freedom 1776” and “Live Like Kirk—John 11:25” on the school’s “spirit rock,” a large boulder that often features messages on political topics. Yet, within hours, s…
Watauga Democrat
School district’s First Amendment lesson in Charlie Kirk painting costs $95,000
(The Center Square) – “Live Like Kirk,” the message painted upon a spirit rock at a Charlotte high school, did not violate school rules and is costing the respective school district $95,000 in a litigation settlement and an embarrassing lesson…
Student's Charlie Kirk tribute at Charlotte high school leads to policy changes, $95K settlement
The board agreed to adopt a new student free speech policy, issue a public statement clearing the student of wrongdoing, and pay $95,000 in damages and attorneys' fees.
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