John and Mary Beth Tinker, aged 13 and 16 respectively, attended public school in Des Moines, Iowa. In December, 1965, they and their parents attended a meeting to discuss ways of protesting the Vietnam War. The group decided to publicly wear black armbands as a symbol of their protest.
When the school principals heard about the decision at the meeting, they passed a rule that prohibited the wearing of an armband in school; those who would refuse to remove an armband would be suspended from school until it was removed. The principals stated that they hoped that this rule would prevent any disorder.
The Tinkers, aware of the new rule, wore their armbands to school. During the day no classes were disorderly and school went on as usual. Before the end of the day, however, the Tinkers went home because the school principal suspended them until they would remove the armbands. Their parents disagreed with the school's rule and actions, and took the case to court. Eventually, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Was this a violation of free speech? Why or why not?
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