mary beth tinker (left) and john f. tinker (right) holding the armbands to protest the Vietnam War

WHAT DID THE STUDENTS THINK?

    The students felt like their rights were being taken away

because they were being told what they can and cannot

wear. The students only wanted to express their feelings about

the Vietnam War. They thought it would be better to protest

silently rather than starting a riot. Even though they knew they

would get in trouble, they continued to wear the armbands and

refused to take them off when asked to do so. The students

strongly believed in what they were doing, and what the

armbands meant and that is why they wore them, they didn't

wear them to be rebellious. Don't you think the students had the

right to protest silently what they believe in? If you believed in

somthing wouldn't you want to show it? What if it was your

children who got suspended, wouldn't you bring it up with the

school board that it's unfair?