ACLU of Nevada v Clark County School District

  • Filed: May 15, 2025
  • Status: Ongoing
  • Court: Nevada Federal District Court
  • Latest Update: Nov 25, 2025
Graphic with a green overlay showing students raising graduation caps in celebration. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “ACLU of Nevada v. CCSD” in a bold, serif font.

Summary

As Southern Nevada high school seniors headed toward graduation, many of the students were at risk of having their First Amendment rights violated under a Clark County School District policy adopted in March that added new restrictions on cap and gown decorations and banned objects and adornments that “constitute proselytizing speech.”

Our civil rights attorneys say that the policy has led to individual schools creating their own guidelines, which even contradict themselves. The complaint says, for example, that Canyon Springs High School and Del Sol Academy have communicated both that all cap decorations will be banned and that students can adorn their caps with decorations that have religious or cultural significance. Las Vegas High School is going even further and requiring students to submit pictures of decorations and accessories for advanced approval.

For the fourth year in a row, we are again hearing stories about CCSD schools enforcing unconstitutional restrictions on students’ decorating their caps and gowns at their high school graduation. Our clients and their families deserve the right to express themselves and celebrate their graduation.”

—

Executive Director Athar Haseebullah

UPDATE: On May 25, 2025, Federal Judge Richard Boulware ruled during an emergency court hearing that two stoles, one which displayed the phrase “Black Girl Magic” on kente cloth and one representing the ACLU of Nevada’s Emerging Leaders program, were lawfully protected forms of expression. Under the ruling, the Clark County School District is to send new guidance to graduating seniors and school administrators before ceremonies start.

Case Number:
2:25-cv-00892-RFB-MDC
Judge:
Hon. Maximiliano D. Couvillier III
Attorney(s):
Christopher M. Peterson, Esq., Jacob T.S. Valentine, Esq., Samantha Kroner, Esq.

Documents

Nevada Federal District Court
Eighth Judicial District Court
Where it started

Learn More About the Issues in This Case

First Amendment Education Equity Equal Protection View All Issues

Related Content

Court Case
Dec 09, 2025
Graphic with a dark blue and red overlay showing a school bus parked on a suburban street. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “ACLU of Nevada v. CCSD” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment

ACLU of Nevada v. Clark County School District

In February, Durango High School students were attacked by CCSD police, and video of the incident was captured by a bystander. CCSD continues to stonewall the release of public records related to the incident. The ACLU of Nevada is representing two of the students attacked in the incident. The ACLU of Nevada filed for a writ of mandamus in a Clark County court in order to force the Clark County School District to release records that the civil rights nonprofit is entitled to. A writ of mandamus is a legal action meant to compel a government actor to follow the law. In February, Durango High School students were attacked by CCSD police for recording officers in the community. Video of the incident captured by a bystander has been shared widely throughout Nevada — including before the Legislature — but despite persistent requests from the news media and others, the school district continues to stonewall the release of public records related to the incident, such as body-worn camera footage and incident reports. Even the ACLU of Nevada, which is representing two teenagers who were attacked in the incident, has been denied the records. In March, the ACLUNV announced it was giving the school district 30 days to comply with the law or the nonprofit would file legal action. CCSD has failed to produce the records for the teenagers’ attorneys. UPDATE: On December 9, 2025, the Nevada Supreme Court held oral arguments. Decision is now pending.
Court Case
Jul 06, 2022
Graphic with a red and blue overlay showing the Nevada Supreme Court building framed by weeping trees. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “Falconi v. Eighth Judicial District Court” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment

Falconi v. Eighth Judicial District Court

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a lawsuit to protect the public’s right to access family court proceedings. Nearly half of the district courts in Clark County are family courts, but a recent rule in the Eighth Judicial District Court allows for closing court proceedings to the public without cause.
Court Case
Sep 21, 2022
Graphic with a red and blue overlay showing a directional street sign labeled “Fremont St Experience” with an arrow pointing right. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, the text reads “Gordon v. City of Las Vegas” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment

Gordon v. City of Las Vegas

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a lawsuit against Fremont Street Experience, LLC, and the city of Las Vegas in order to protect First Amendment rights on this important public forum. Fremont Street remains a public street. The case is Gordon v. City of Las Vegas, Case No. 2:22-cv-01446-RFB-EJY.
Court Case
Feb 16, 2024
Graphic with a blue and red overlay featuring a pedestrian bridge over a Las Vegas street. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, the text reads “McAllister v. Clark County” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment

McAllister v. Clark County

We're challenging Clark County's pedestrian flow zone ordinance for its vague language that allows LVMPD to selectively enforce and, in effect, selectively target people. Our client uses a manual wheelchair, and under this ordinance, could be charged with a misdemeanor for stopping to take a break. In January 2024, the Clark County Commission voted to establish pedestrian flow zones on the pedestrian bridges at the Las Vegas Strip and charge people with a misdemeanor for stopping or standing on these bridges.