Historic museums should respect pro-life marchers' free speech, warn Republican senators.

Republican senators Ted Cruz and Todd Young are calling on Washington, D.C. historical museums to respect the First Amendment rights of pro-life protesters who will gather in the city on Friday.

The senators wrote a letter to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) stating that the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights has historically given participants a positive, welcoming experience in our nation's capital.

In 2019, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum expelled several Catholic students and their chaperones for wearing pro-life clothing. The group from Our Lady of the Rosary School in Greenville, South Carolina, attended the annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C., wearing blue beanies with the words "Rosary PRO-LIFE."

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), acting on behalf of some parents, asserted that museum staff ridiculed the group, employed inappropriate language, and maintained that the museum was a "neutral zone" prohibiting political or religious expressions.

On March 18, 2024, the Smithsonian Institution reached a settlement with students who were removed from the National Air and Space Museum for wearing pro-life beanies. The agreement included providing the students with a tour and an apology, updating the Smithsonian's policy on clothing with religious and political speech for public-facing security staff, sharing video footage and investigative details of the incident, and paying $50,000.

The senators wrote to the museums last week, expressing their satisfaction that the victims of harassment received justice, but emphasizing that the incident should never have occurred in the first place. No amount of money could ever undo the horrific actions: federal officers, armed with the authority of the law, intimidated and violated the First Amendment rights of peaceful students.

Additionally, the Smithsonian Institution employees' misconduct and inadequate training were funded by American taxpayers. This must not occur again, according to them.

In December 2023, NARA settled a lawsuit after staff allegedly asked visitors to remove pro-life clothing during the March for Life protest earlier that year. The visitors, represented by the ACLJ, claimed their First Amendment rights were violated. NARA apologized, admitted the incident breached its policies, and agreed to pay $10,000 in legal fees while implementing staff training to prevent future violations.

The senators are requesting that the institutions provide information on whether they have adhered to prior agreements regarding the treatment of visitors displaying religious or political messages and whether staff have been reminded of policies protecting free speech. Additionally, NARA is being asked to pledge to uphold these protections after a crucial injunction expires in January 2025. Both agencies have been instructed to provide comprehensive explanations of their actions and preparations.

The Smithsonian Institution will communicate with the Senators.

NARA did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline.