G.S. v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education

A family is suing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education for censoring the speech of their high school daughter who painted a rock on school grounds with the words “Freedom 1776” and “Live Like Kirk—John 11:25” after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Case Timeline

• September 2025: Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Gabby received the proper permission to share her message on the Ardrey Kell High School spirit rock, before the school painted over it and helped launch a criminal investigation into her.
• December 2025: Represented by ADF attorneys, Gabby and her family filed a lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
• June 2026: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education agreed to settle, adopting a new student speech policy, issuing a public statement clearing Gabby of wrongdoing and expressing regret over her experience, and paying $95,000 in damages and attorneys’ fees.