John and Mary Beth Tinker with their armbands

Supreme Court Vote: 7 to 2

Summary of Case

". . . In the absence of a specific showing of constitutionally valid reasons to regulate their speech, students are entitled to freedom of expression of their views."
— Justice Fortas, speaking for the majority

Tinker vs. Des Moines

In 1965, John and Mary Beth Tinker wore black armbands to their public school in Des Moines, Iowa as a symbol of protest against American involvement in the Vietnam War. When the school asked the Tinkers to remove the armbands, they refused and were suspended. The Supreme Court decided that the Tinkers had the right to wear the armbands due to the first amendment's security of freedom of expression.