Dear Editor:

On November 26, I was called down to see a school official about an anti‑war leaflet which I had been seen giving a friend at lunch the previous day. I was informed that I was breaking a rule and had agreed to stop, but the school officials decided that a meeting with my parents was necessary and that I should not attend classes until this meeting was held.

Because of difficulty in contacting my guardian, I was allowed to return to classes, but the next day my father and my guardian had to come to school for a meeting. At that meeting it was decided that: 1) I am not to bring material advertising my antiwar organization or its activities to school, and 2) I am not to speak about it or its activities to anyone while in school.

The first decision I can accept, although I wonder if it was the organization more than the offense that caused the school officials to make such an issue of it. The rule itself is impartial.

The second decision I cannot accept. As long as I do not disrupt a class, I have the right to speak on any subject I choose, any place I happen to be speaking with someone. No one has the power to deprive me of this right; freedom of speech is guaranteed to me by law.

This is more than a personal matter. If the practice of allowing only limited freedom of speech becomes wide‑spread, and if such a practice is accepted, then the total loss of freedom of speech would occur. followed eventually by the total loss of freedom.

I am sure this is not what the officials had in mind when they ordered me not to talk about the organization; I doubt that they even considered it. But everyone must realize that the loss of freedom begins with small restrictions such as the one placed on me. The transition from democracy to totalitarianism need not be sudden. Gradual revocation of inherent and legal rights is just as effective as sudden removal.

I may be getting myself into trouble for writing this and for taking this position. However, I am deeply concerned about the possible consequences of a policy of limited freedom of speech, especially in a school. It is for this reason that I cannot obey the second order; I will exercise my right of free speech in or out of school.

Debbie Perry '69