Washington - Saba:
A 14-year-old Palestinian-American student in Plymouth-Canton, USA, has sued her teacher, who insulted her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag in protest of US support for the Israeli war on Gaza.
According to the Associated Press, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 14-year-old student who said a teacher at her school insulted her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag in protest of US support for the Israeli war on Gaza.
According to the lawsuit, the teacher told Danielle Khalaf, "As long as you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you can go back to your own country."
Danielle, whose family is of Palestinian descent, refused to take the Pledge of Allegiance for three days last January.
"We can only admire the incredible conviction and courage she showed to follow her conscience and convictions," said ACLU attorney Mark Fancher.
The lawsuit states that the teacher reprimanded Danielle and accused her of disrespectful behavior, causing her "extensive psychological and social harm," including nightmares, psychological distress, and a deterioration in her social relationships with her colleagues.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Arab American Civil Rights League asserted that the incident violated Danielle's First Amendment rights, and the lawsuit seeks monetary damages.