Grosse Pointe parent wins federal injunction over trespass ban

A Michigan parent won a federal injunction in July that rescinds a no-trespass order from Grosse Pointe Public Schools.

Shane Pruitt was slapped with the order after he posted a video of rainbow/transgender pride flags that were on display at Parcells Middle School in September 2024.

The school district sent police to his home Oct. 21, 2024, and blocked him from entering school grounds or attending extracurricular activities. A picture of Pruitt’s face was posted at the entry to the school, and the district threatened him with criminal prosecution if he violated the order. He sued in federal district court in Detroit.

Judge Robert J. White issued a preliminary ruling on July 24 that enjoined the school system from enforcing its no-trespass order and ordered officials to remove Pruitt’s picture from the school office display. He also ordered that the school district can’t take further retaliatory action against Pruitt for his free speech activities.

Pruitt welcomed the 32-page order.

“No parent should live under the threat of retaliation, harassment, shaming, and ridicule from a school district for merely criticizing public officials,” Pruitt said in a press release his attorney issued “Parents have the right to speak out and voice their opinion on any public school action. I never harassed or intimidated anyone at the school. I thank the court for vindicating my rights.”

School officials told Michigan Capitol Confidential they will comply with the injunction.

"Even before the temporary injunction, the district was working with Mr. Pruitt to allow access for him to his child’s school activities with advance notice,” the district said in a statement. “Our staff will comply with the injunction but cannot comment further due to pending litigation."

3983 Pruitt Order by mcclallen

Attorney David Kallman, who represented Pruitt, welcomed the ruling.

“If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because it disagrees,” Kallman said in a press release. “A foundational core of our constitutional republic is that the state cannot punish citizens for engaging in speech that is protected by the First Amendment. A public school cannot retaliate against or punish parental speech that falls within the ambit of the First Amendment. Kallman Legal Group will always vigorously defend everyone’s right to engage in free speech, no matter the issue.”