Cosponsored by Department of Legal Studies
In February 1969, John Tinker made history when the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled that First Amendment rights applied in school, thus
reminding young people that they have a voice. Tinker’s case started
when, at age 15, he wore a black arm band to school protesting the
Vietnam War. He was threatened with suspension and challenged the school
district in his right to protest.
John Tinker is known for being the first-named
petitioner in the landmark First Amendment case. Since the Supreme
Court decision, Tinker has remained a committed peace activist. He has
held a variety of positions including a deckhand on a shrimp boat, a
city bus driver, a database programmer, an information systems
architect, and a radio and electronics engineer. Most recently John has
built a non-profit community radio station in Fayette, Missouri, which
he and his wife, Patricia operate with the help of volunteers from the
community. John is the president of the John F. Tinker Foundation,
whose mission is to help to educate students, teachers and school
administrators regarding the First Amendment rights of students, and to
encourage the discussion of controversial issues across political
boundaries.