Portland, Oct. 22 -- A high school activist's comment about rape posted on a bathroom mirror represents constitutionally protected free speech - and punishing her would discourage young victims from coming forward, an attorney said Monday.

The sticky note that proclaimed "There's a rapist in our school and you know who it is" aimed to call attention to the unaddressed problem of sexual assaults, said Emma Bond from the American Civil Liberties of Maine.

But a lawyer for Cape Elizabeth High School said the note targeted an individual who had to leave school for several days.

U.S. District Judge Lance Walker, who listened to the arguments on Monday, said he'll rule soon on Aela Mansmann's request to intervene to stop a three-day suspensi...