Three John Jay High School students were suspended for saying the word ?vagina? at an open mic session at the school.

The girls were reading from the popular play ?The Vagina Monologues? Friday night. School administrators say they warned the girls not to use the word ?vagina? since there would be young children present. Juniors Megan Reback, Elan Stahl and Hannah Levinson did use the word and now will each serve separate one-day, in-school suspensions this week, according to school officials.

The incident has sparked a debate on freedom of speech. The move has prompted parents to write to the Board of Education and circulate e-mails calling the suspension a "blatant attempt at censorship." The school principal says he defends his decision to suspend the students.