An appeals court ruled Wednesday that a student's right to free speech was violated when his middle school censored a T-shirt he wore with an anti-drug, anti-President Bush message.

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ANATOMY OF A SHIRT

The shirt bore images of cocaine and a martini glass _ in addition to messages calling President Bush a lying drunk driver who abused cocaine and marijuana, and the "chicken-hawk-in-chief" who was engaged in a "world domination tour."

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WHAT WENT DOWN

Zachary Guiles was in seventh-grade when he wore the shirt once a week for two months in early 2004. A parent and student complained about the shirt's content but Guiles refused to cover the images. He was suspended for one day that May, and the next day wore the shirt with duct tape covering the images.

Williamstown Middle School Principal Kathleen Morris-Kortz said the images violated the school dress code, which prohibits clothing that promotes the use of drugs or alcohol.

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COURT

But the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said in a 3-0 ruling that the school had no right to censor any part of the shirt.

"The pictures are an important part of the political message Guiles wished to convey, accentuating the anti-drug (and anti-Bush) message," the appeals court wrote. "By covering them defendants diluted Guiles's message, blunting its force and impact."

Guiles, now 15, said he was pleased. "I think this is a very good sign that even with the current administration and the way the country is going there can still be a justice that allows free speech."

The appeals court ruling sends the case back to the district court for further proceedings.

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