Center Stage. Mary Beth and John Tinker participate in a question and answer session with students on Feb. 22 about the 50th anniversary of the ruling of their Supreme Court and the importance of student First Amendment rights. Photo by Nicolle Martin
Talking Tinker. Mary Beth and John Tinker share details about their Supreme Court case at the State Historical Society of Iowa Tinkerversary event on Feb. 22. Photo by Nicolle Martin
Using Her Voice. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Rebecca Schneid speaks to students about the importance of free speech rights to her on Feb. 22 as part of the Tinkerversary event at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Photo by Dara Rosen
Tinker T-Shirt
R
aygun, a shirt company based in Des Moines, Iowa, where the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines court case was first heard, made shirts for the 50th anniversary of the ruling. The shirts read “Don’t Tinker with my rights,” and underneath the slogan is “Tinker v. Des Moines (1969).” Raygun is best known for its merchandise with humorous phrases and liberal slogans. The proceeds from the shirt sales will benefit Tinker Tour USA, a special project by the Student Press Law Center. The SPLC is an organization that works to defend the rights of student journalists. The shirts were just one part
I Promise. Mary Beth and John Tinker invite students up to the stage to collect shirts if they can name their First Amendment rights and promise to use them. Photo by Nicolle Martin
Raygun sells shirts for 50th anniversary of the Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court ruling
of a much larger movement to protect student journalists’ free speech rights. “We actually coordinated with the documentary filmmaker Maribeth Romslo, who helped field communication between our staff, [Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School] students and Mary Beth Tinker in coming up with the design,” Brittany Crow, an employee at Raygun, said. The shirts were being sold for $23 through February and March. They are currently on sale for $17.25 at https:// www.raygunsite.com/products/donttinker-with-my-rights. Story by Raquel Alvarado
08 News • State Historical Society of Iowa–Tinker Turns 50
Representing Raygun. Eagle Eye Adviser Melissa Falkowski and activist Mary Beth Tinker wear their “Don’t Tinker With My Rights” shirt at an event at Raygun. Photo by Dara Rosen
Don’t Tinker With My Shirt. Raygun created a special t-shirt design for the 50th anniversary of the Tinker v. Des Moines ruling. Photo by Dara Rosen
