What right did the Westside Community Schools v. Mergens case affirm for students?

The Westside Community Schools v. Mergens case affirmed that students have the right to organize a bible club, establishing a significant precedent regarding the First Amendment rights of students in public schools. This case revolved around the Equal Access Act, which mandates that secondary schools receiving federal funding cannot discriminate against student organizations based on the content of their speech, including religious beliefs. The Supreme Court ruled that if a school allows non-curricular clubs to exist, they must also permit religious clubs, thereby upholding students' rights to express their religious beliefs and create a space for fellowship and discussion around those beliefs within the school environment.

This ruling supports the notion that students should have the same rights to organize groups as any other student organization, fostering an inclusive environment that respects diverse perspectives and beliefs.