An anti-gay demonstration at a local high school has turned into a debate on first amendment rights.

The objection to the gay and lesbian alliance’s “Day of Silence” at high school campuses spilled into a freedom of speech protest. Two Mira Loma High School students were suspended after they refused to take off anti-gay shirts. “The first amendment gives freedom of speech, but the schools take that amendment away,” said Dmitry Kutseako, one of the suspended students.

Lila Matosa is also upset. She suffered religious persecution in Moldova in the former Soviet Union and thought it would be different here. But after seeing her daughter suspended, she has to wonder. “I was shocked because we can’t have freedom, religious freedom.”

School officials say the shirts singled out a group for ridicule, which they claim could lead to confrontation and violence. “The bottom line is that people who send their kids to our school have an expectation that they’ll be safe,” said Principal Chris Hoffman.

Protestors like Victor Choban say they’re expressing a moral belief, not advocating violence. “We don’t hate these guys, we just want to say the truth to them.”

“Students do not relinquish their rights at the school house gates,” argued Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute. His organization is representing 13 Oakmont High School students who were suspended for two days for wearing similar shirts to school. Dacus says school districts are playing favorites with gay and lesbian groups. “They’re silencing students who have different conviction, religous convictions and they’re treating them like second class citizens.”