A recent lawsuit has surfaced, alleging that a student expressing pro-life views was physically assaulted during a pro-choice protest at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Raritan Township. The incident occurred on May 16, 2022, in response to a leaked U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case that could potentially impact the precedent set by Roe v. Wade.
The student, 16-year-old Nichole Pagano, brought her own sign advocating for “Equal Rights For Babies in the Womb” to the protest. Her identity was disclosed due to her previous involvement in public interviews about the protest. According to the lawsuit filed by her family’s attorney, John Coyle, around 200 students subjected Pagano to assault and harassment during what is described as a “school-sanctioned riot.”
Videos and photos captured the verbal abuse and derogatory slurs directed at Pagano during the protest. Some videos showcased students chanting offensive language, while others showed a female student repeatedly insulting Pagano. Snapchats shared as evidence in the lawsuit revealed students tearing away Pagano’s sign and boasting about their actions on social media.
The lawsuit claims that teachers allowed students to create protest posters during class time and encouraged their participation in the event. However, when Pagano faced mistreatment and physical assault, the teachers and administrators present allegedly failed to intervene.
The lawsuit goes on to accuse the school of negligent supervision, assault, battery, and defamation. The district had previously acknowledged the disruptive behavior that occurred during the protest, characterizing it as “unsanctioned” in a statement released in May 2022.
