Republican senators issue warning to history museums ahead of pro-life march: ‘Respect’ free speech

FIRST ON FOX: Republican Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Todd Young, R-Indiana, call on Washington, DC history museums to “respect” First Amendment rights pro-life protesters which are expected to descend on the city on Friday.

“This peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights has historically provided participants with a positive, welcoming experience in our nation’s capital,” the senators wrote in a letter to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Two years ago, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum busted several Catholic students and their attendants for wearing pro-life clothing. Students and chaperones from Our Lady of the Rosary School in Greenville, South Carolina traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in the annual National March for Life. The group stood out in matching blue caps with the inscription “Krunica PRO-LIFE”.

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At the time, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents the parents of some of the students, alleged that museum staff mocked the group, used profanity and claimed the museum was a “neutral zone” that prohibited political or religious messages.

In a settlement reached on March 18, 2024, the Smithsonian Institution settled a lawsuit with students removed from the National Air and Space Museum for wearing pro-life caps. As part of the settlement, the Smithsonian pledged to give the students a tour and apologize, update its policy on clothing with religious and political speech for public-facing security personnel, share video footage and details of the incident investigation, and pay $50,000.

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“While we are pleased that the victims of this mistreatment have received justice, it is clear that this should not have happened in the first place. No amount of money could have reduced the truly atrocious acts: officers wearing the badge and force of the federal government openly intimidated and violated the The First Amendment the rights of peaceful students,” the senators wrote to the museums last week.

“Furthermore, American taxpayers paid the bill for the outrageous behavior of Smithsonian Institution employees and the apparent lack of proper training. This cannot happen again,” they said.

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That same year, NARA settled a lawsuit in December 2023 after staff allegedly asked patrons to remove pro-life clothing during a March for Life protest earlier that year. The visitors, also represented by the ACLJ, claimed their First Amendment rights were violated. NARA apologized, acknowledged that the incident violated its policy, and agreed to pay $10,000 in legal fees while implementing staff training to prevent future violations.

The senators are calling on the institutions to answer questions about whether they have honored previous settlements regarding the treatment of visitors who display religious or political messages and whether they have reminded staff of policies to protect free speech. NARA is also being asked to commit to maintaining these protections after the key ban expires in January 2025. Both agencies have been asked to provide detailed explanations of their actions and preparations.

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In an email to Fox News Digital, Smithsonian Institution spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson said, “We will be corresponding with the senators.”

NARA did not respond to a request for comment by press time.