A former Wyoming high school student, Grace Smith, is one step closer to pursuing her legal fight after a federal appeals court revived her lawsuit against the Albany County School District. Smith was arrested in 2021 after refusing to comply with a mask mandate at Laramie High School, sparking a debate over free speech and government mandates.
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Smith has the legal right to sue, overturning a lower court’s 2023 dismissal. The district court had previously ruled that Smith’s harm was “self-inflicted” because she chose to remain on campus and reject virtual learning.
Smith, who faced multiple suspensions before her arrest, alleges the district violated her free speech rights by requiring her to wear a mask, retaliated against her protest activities, and failed to provide due process. She was ultimately arrested for trespassing after refusing to leave school grounds.
The appeals court disagreed with the earlier ruling, stating that Smith demonstrated clear harm caused by the district’s enforcement actions. “Grace has easily met the requirements for standing,” the judges concluded.
The school district argues that wearing a mask does not fall under protected speech and denies violating Smith’s due process rights. The appellate judges noted these arguments will need to be addressed in the next phase of the case, as the focus was solely on whether Smith could pursue her lawsuit.
This decision highlights ongoing tensions between public health measures and individual rights. As the case returns to the district court, it could set a precedent for future challenges to similar government mandates in schools.
