California School District Caves—YAF Chapter Recognized, 9/11: Never Forget Project Approved

Earlier this week, the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter at Rancho Campana High School was one of more than 200 schools across the country taking part in Young America’s Foundation’s iconic 9/11: Never Forget Project. But for Wyatt Germaine, the founder of Rancho Campana YAF, the project was more than just about remembering the victims of 9/11—it was a victory for his YAF chapter after more than a year of work to be able to spread freedom’s principles at his school. When Wyatt founded Rancho Campana YAF, he hit a roadblock almost immediately: none of his school’s faculty would agree to be his advisor. Without an advisor, his chapter was barred from on-campus activity, including the 9/11: Never Forget Project. For over a year, Wyatt fought to have his chapter recognized, asking every single faculty member at Rancho Campana High School to be his advisor. None would agree. With representation from FreedomX, YAF and Jane Germain (Wyatt’s mother) sent a demand letter to Rancho Campana High School threatening a lawsuit, demanding the YAF chapter be immediately recognized and that students be permitted to participate in the 9/11: Never Forget Project. It read, in part:

“…you are held to know that by subjecting Wyatt/YAF to a system of unbridled discretion in order to be recognized as an RSO and excluding them from the benefits afforded RSOs that you are violating Wyatt’s/YAF’sconstitutional rights. Accordingly, in order to avoid legal action, we hereby demand that (1) a faculty advisor be assigned to assist Wyatt/YAF, and that (2) Wyatt/YAF be granted permission to erect the 9/11 memorial on September 10, 2018.

We are fully prepared to subject the Oxnard Union School District to litigation should it insist on violating our clients’ constitutional rights. It is in the school’s best interest to avoid the public attention this matter will generate should we be forced to file a lawsuit.”

Days after receiving the demand letter from FreedomX the school caved, assigned an advisor for Wyatt’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter, and allowed the 9/11: Never Forget Project to take place. “Young America’s Foundation is proud to be the only organization in the Conservative Movement that provides students with the materials and education to boldly advance conservative ideas at their schools, but also be able to back them up and take swift action to defend their rights when campus leftists threaten their First Amendment expression,” noted Young America’s Foundation Spokesman Spencer Brown. “Courageous and determined YAF activists such as Wyatt know that we have their back, and leftist administrators should know that we never back down when our students’ rights are infringed.”