NARA has also affirmed that its pre-existing policy permits museum visitors to wear T-shirts, hats, buttons, and other articles of clothing that display protest language, including religious and political speech. The agency will provide security officers and staff with written notice reminding them of the policy, which respects the free speech rights of the public.
MARCH FOR LIFE VISITORS TO NATIONAL ARCHIVES TOLD TO ‘REMOVE OR COVER’ PRO-LIFE ATTIRE: LAWSUIT
National Archives has reached a preliminary agreement with plaintiffs who alleged they were ordered to remove or cover pro-life messages on their clothing during a visit. (Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Earlier, the National Archives apologized after the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) filed a lawsuit alleging that a group of visitors from the March for Life were told they could not wear clothing with pro-life messages on a visit to the museum.
"Earlier this week, a lawsuit was filed against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) stating that on the morning of January 20, 2023, the day of the March for Life, several visitors to our museum in Washington, D.C., were told by NARA security officers 'to remove or cover their attire because of their pro-life messages,'" NARA said in a statement.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS KICKED OUT OF SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM IN DC OVER PRO-LIFE BEANIES
Demonstrators at the 2023 March for Life in Washington, D.C. (Brooke Curto/Fox News Digital)
The apology recognized the irony of the alleged incident, in which a group of people were told they could not express their views in the building that houses the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
"As the home to the original Constitution and Bill of Rights, which enshrine the rights of free speech and religion, we sincerely apologize for this occurrence," the statement continued.
March for LIfe 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Brooke Curto/Fox News Digital)
The agreement for an in-person apology and personal tour was the result of "good-faith, arms-length negotiation," court papers say.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, is overseeing the case. If the court accepts the proposed agreement, the parties will proceed to the D.C. Circuit's Mediation Program to explore a potential settlement, according to the court documents.
Fox News' Timothy Nerozzi contributed to this report.