Indiana school
goes on lockdown on Day of Silence

Rumors of violence forced a lockdown Wednesday at a New Castle, Ind., school where some students planned a Day of Silence to support gay rights.

Chrysler High School students were moved out of the building for a while, Indianapolis TV station WTHR reported.

For Thursday, some other students are organizing a Day of Truth to counter what they see as a "homosexual agenda."

Nationally, students from more than 4,000 schools have registered for the Day of Silence, according to Daryl Presgraves, a spokesman for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. Many plan to take a vow of silence for most of the day. But Presgraves said the network wants participants to work with schools to avoid interfering with the education process.

John Newby, New Castle schools superintendent, said participating students would be able to exercise their First Amendment rights but that the event was not school-supported.

"Students don't shed their rights when they enter the schoolhouse door," Newby said.

Chrysler High School principal Bruce Gaylor expected fewer than 20 students to participate.

Thursday's Day of Truth is planned by the Alliance Defense Fund. Its day is devoted to countering the "homosexual agenda" and presenting an "opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective," according to the fund's Web site.

Students supporting the Day of Truth may wear T-shirts and pass out cards stating "a simple, positive message" between classes, said Mike Johnson, the fund's senior legal counsel.

The fund started its day about three years ago.

"The idea was to allow an opportunity for Christian students and those who adhere to a traditional moral viewpoint...to respectfully present their side of the issue," Johnson said. "What we've found is typically it's the Christian kids who are being censored in their speech, so that's why this is being created for them."

He expects more than 6,000 students from hundreds of high schools to participate. (AP)