CAMDEN, N.J. (November 18, 2009)--A New Jersey high school student claims in a federal lawsuit that administrators violated her religious and free speech rights by barring her participation in a silent abortion protest.

The girl, identified in court papers only as C.H., says she asked Bridgeton High School's principal last month for permission to join in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity on Oct. 20.

She planned to remain silent except when called on in class and also wanted to wear an armband with the word "life" on it and distribute anti-abortion pamphlets.

School Superintendent H. Victor Gilson says the armband would have violated the school's dress code, and the district doesn't allow students to pass out literature on campus.