Its a critically important case in New York State. A seventh-grade student was suspended by school officials for wearing a rosary to school a rosary which honors the memory of his deceased older brother and uncle.
School officials demanded the 13-year-old public school student remove the rosary, saying it violated school policy. A school district spokesperson told a local newspaper that the rosary beads could be an identifier of gangs and needed to be removed for safety reasons.
To equate a rosary to a gang symbol is not only wrong, but deeply offensive. The action taken by this school district suspending the student for wearing a religious artifact is insulting and inappropriate.
The ACLJ is on it. Were representing this young student and his constitutionally protected religious liberty pursuing all legal avenues to ensure that his rights, and the rights of all public school students, are protected. Its time to put Americas schools on notice: Protect students rights. Read the form below carefully and declare your membership with the ACLJ by adding your name to our Demand Letter.
DEMAND LETTER
To:
Schenectady City School District Superintendent
Schenectady City School District Board of Education
Principal of Oneida Middle School
It is deeply disconcerting a troubling trend in Americas public schools. To require students to check their constitutional rights to religious expression at the schoolhouse door is not only wrong, but also deeply offensive.
It is time that public school districts across America receive a crucial lesson in the First Amendment. The action taken by the Schenectady City School District suspending a middle school student for wearing a religious artifact, a rosary is insulting and inappropriate. More than that, it shows blatant disregard for the First Amendment rights of students.
There is no question: The Constitution provides students with broad rights protecting their freedom of speech and expression. In addition, the Supreme Court of the United States has been very clear on this issue: Americas students do not surrender their rights to religious expression when they go to school. This is America: Do what is necessary to protect our students rights.