Latest news with #PledgeOfAllegiance
The National
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Palestinian pupil sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to refusal to stand for pledge
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 14-year-old Michigan pupil who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest against US support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday, said Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her that, because she lives in the US and enjoys its freedom, "if you don't like it, you should go back to your country'. The pupil, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the pledge over three days in January. 'We can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience and her heart,' ACLU lawyer Mark Fancher said. The lawsuit says her teacher admonished her and told her she was being disrespectful. As a result, Danielle 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,' including nightmares, stress and strained friendships, the lawsuit says. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle's First Amendment rights were violated, and the lawsuit seeks a financial award. "I decided I wanted to sit down because I didn't feel comfortable standing because of what's happening in Palestine," Danielle said at a news conference in February. The Israel-Gaza war, which began after a surprise attack by Hamas left about 1,200 people dead and 240 taken hostage, has resulted in the deaths of more than 56,000 Palestinians. Throughout the conflict, the US has continued to support Israel. "After the pledge was over, the teacher addressed the class and said that anyone that was sitting down was being very disrespectful to soldiers, to America," Danielle said, adding that she tried to speak to the teacher afterwards, but was dismissed. 'It was traumatising, it hurt and I know she could do that to other people." At that time, the school district said it had taken 'appropriate action', though it didn't elaborate. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,' the district said. Census Bureau.
Washington Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Palestinian American girl sues school after refusing Pledge of Allegiance
The father of a 14-year-old Michigan student is suing his daughter's school district and teacher on her behalf, alleging she was repeatedly humiliated and told to 'go back to your country' when she refused to stand for and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The complaint was filed Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Arab American Civil Rights League acting for Jacob Khalaf on behalf of his daughter, Danielle Khalaf, who is a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent. She was attending East Middle School in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools District at the time of the incident.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Palestinian student sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to her refusal to stand for Pledge
DETROIT — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 14-year-old student who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of U.S. support of Israel's war in Gaza. Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' according to the lawsuit.
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestinian student sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to her refusal to stand for Pledge
DETROIT: The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 14-year-old student who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of US support of Israel's war in Gaza. Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' according to the lawsuit. Danielle, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the Pledge over three days in January. 'We can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience and her heart,' ACLU attorney Mark Fancher said. The lawsuit says her teacher admonished her and told her she was being disrespectful. As a result, Danielle 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,' including nightmares, stress and strained friendships, the lawsuit says. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle's First Amendment rights were violated, and the lawsuit seeks a financial award. 'It was traumatizing, it hurt and I know she could do that to other people,' Danielle said at a news conference in February, referring to the teacher's treatment. At that time, the school district said it had taken 'appropriate action,' though it didn't elaborate. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,' the district said. The school district declined Wednesday to comment further, citing the litigation. Michigan has more than 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, second in the US behind California, according to the Census Bureau.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Palestinian student sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to her refusal to stand for Pledge
DETROIT (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 14-year-old student who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of U.S. support of Israel's war in Gaza. Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' according to the lawsuit. Danielle, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the Pledge over three days in January. 'We can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience and her heart,' ACLU attorney Mark Fancher said. The lawsuit says her teacher admonished her and told her she was being disrespectful. As a result, Danielle 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,' including nightmares, stress and strained friendships, the lawsuit says. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle's First Amendment rights were violated. The lawsuit seeks a financial award. An email seeking comment from the school district was not immediately answered Wednesday. 'It was traumatizing, it hurt, and I know she could do that to other people,' Danielle said at a news conference in February, referring to the teacher's treatment. At that time, the school district said it had taken 'appropriate action,' though it didn't elaborate. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,' the district said.
