Parents sue in federal court over Live Oak High flag flap

[alp227]

If you remember the incident in which five high schoolers were asked to change their clothing on Cinco de Mayo simply because of American flag imagery on the clothes, the parents of three of the students are now suing the principal and assistant principal of Live Oak High School for a civil rights violation.

The school's side of the story:

Morgan Hill Unified spokeswoman Julie Zintsmaster said the district had not yet received the suit and would not comment on its allegations, including that the principal "slammed his fist on the table stating it was inappropriate for these students to wear" the shirts on Cinco de Mayo, but that they could wear their shirts "any day but that day," the suit states.

The day after the incident, Superintendent Wesley Smith issued a statement saying that the district does not "prohibit nor do we discourage wearing patriotic clothing." He added that students "should not, and will not, be disciplined for wearing patriotic clothing."

Oh, by the way, a lawyer who defended a conservative student and a familiar Religious Right org are representing the parents:

The lawsuit was filed by Los Angeles-based William Becker, a former newsman turned First Amendment attorney. Becker also represents a Merced sixth-grader who was barred from wearing a graphic anti-abortion T-shirt of a growing fetus.

Also representing the Morgan Hill families is the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. The center's website says it helps defend and promote the religious freedom of Christians, and its purpose is to be the "sword and shield for people of faith," to help Christians win a "cultural war" on issues such as abortion, pornography and school prayer.

However, do note that even the ACLU criticised the school for asking the students to change clothes. The ACLU also said that the school's assertion that the students would be harmed for wearing what they wore lacked evidence.

The lawsuit was filed in US District Court yesterday. More at "Morgan Hill: Parents sue in federal court over Live Oak High flag flap".

[depakid]

1. One word on this: school uniforms

Problems solved.

In addition to many other benefits.

[Posteritatis]

2. Hahahahahahahahaha. (nt)

[Goblinmonger]

3. Good luck

Don't know what it is like in their state, but here it is very hard to sue a governmental agency.

Interesting who is representing them. Kind of supports which side I took on this whole thing and the intents of those that were wearing the shirts.

[TexasObserver]

4. It was an inappropriate, discriminatory politically repressive action.

The very idea that a principal could bar a student from wearing a US flag is ridiculous. I'm fine with other students wearing flags of their choosing, too.

If there is conflict because students want to take offense, make them talk out their disagreements. Gather the kids around. Make it the topic of discussion. Have students state their beliefs and explore all the issues.

Hiding from conflict doesn't resolve it.

[aikoaiko]

5. I agree with you completely.

Not an everyday occurrence.