OMAHA, Neb. -- The Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has called on an Omaha school district to dismiss suspensions against 23 students who wore memorial T-shirts to class.

School officials said the Millard South High School students violated the district dress policy by wearing shirts honoring a slain friend. They said the shirts were disruptive.

ACLU Nebraska said the district has the leeway to censor messages that are disruptive to learning, but the T-shirts don't fall into that category. The group said the shirts allow students to express grief.

ACLU Nebraska said that if the district does not rescind the suspensions, it will consider legal action.

The district said 23 students were suspended over the past three days.