BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Conservative students at Kellogg Community College are suing the school after they were arrested last fall for handing out pocket-sized U.S. Constitutions on campus.

Young Americans for Liberty at Kellogg Community College filed the lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, naming the school, President Mark O’Connell, the college’s board of trustees, administrators and Harold West, the public safety director, MLive reports.

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“By policy and practice, Kellogg Community College claims the unchecked right to prohibit students from engaging in practically any constitutionally protected expression anywhere on campus unless they first obtain permission from KCC officials,” the lawsuit read.

“When students request permission, the College’s Solicitation Policy (the ‘Speech Permit Policy’) grants KCC officials unbridled discretion to restrict the content and viewpoint of students speech if it does not ‘support the mission of Kellogg Community College or the mission of a recognized college entity or activity.’”

The suit stems from efforts by students Michelle Gregoire and Brandon Withers to pass out pocket-sized U.S. Constitutions in front of the college’s Binda Performing Arts Center on Sept. 20, when campus officials demanded they stop because they had not obtained a special permit.

The students refused, citing their constitutional rights, and were then arrested, charged with trespassing and jailed, though the charges were later dismissed, according to the lawsuit, which alleges violations of free speech, equal protection and due process, MLive reports.

The lawsuit contends KCC maintains an “unwritten speech zone policy limiting student expression to one location on campus.” The two KCC students, a Young Americans for Liberty at Michigan State University member, and a field representative for the Leadership Institute were jailed for seven hours, according to the news site.

The KCC lawsuit is virtually identical to one filed against Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids in December, though conservative students involved in that dispute were not arrested, EAGnews reports.

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In both cases, students are receiving legal help from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative non-profit.

The Battle Creek student group is affiliated with the national organization Young Americans for Liberty, which is launching a national campaign in response to the incidents and other similar situations, The Detroit News reports.

“Unfortunately, restricting free speech on public university campuses has become the new norm,” Cliff Maloney Jr., YAL executive director, said in a statement. “In response, YAL has launched the national Fight for Free Speech campaign to promote our Bill of Rights and the ideals of civil liberties. Historically, universities have served as a beacon of intellectual thought and we cannot let these open discussions become stifled. We are thankful to have the support of ADF as we fight against these unconstitutional and restrictive policies.”

KCC officials have not yet been served with the lawsuit, school spokesman Eric Greene told the news site.

“The college, which takes seriously any allegation that one’s freedom of expression has been violated, will address this matter through legal counsel,” Greene said.