POSTED: 2:29 pm CST November 15, 2006
UPDATED: 2:39 pm CST November 15, 2006


CHICAGO -- A judge in Chicago says freedom of expression means the play must go on -- even if it's a middle school production called "Fuggedaboutit -- A Little Mobster Comedy."

A coalition of Italian-American groups filed a civil rights lawsuit over the play, saying it spreads racist stereotypes. They'd asked a federal judge to issue an injunction to stop it from being performed this week at a school in the Chicago suburb of Batavia.

Attorney Joseph Rago said the play portrays Italian-Americans as ignorant criminals and that's a bad message to send to children.


But Judge John Grady turned down the motion today, saying freedom of expression is important and there's nothing that requires students to go to the play if they don't want to.


oh oh!! 4 the judge...