The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in two related cases stemming from lawsuits against officials in Freehold and Cranford, New Jersey.
The suits revolved around claims that the plaintiffs were retaliated against by school boards because they refused to wear masks during public meetings.
In one of the suits, the court sent the case back to a lower court for consideration.
Still, the court found that refusing to wear a mask during a public health emergency didn't amount to free speech protected by the Constitution.
The court added: “Skeptics are free to — and did — voice their opposition through multiple means, but disobeying a masking requirement is not one of them.
Ronald Berutti, an attorney for the appellants, said they intend to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.
He also alleged a later school board meeting was canceled in retaliation for his not wearing a mask. »
