In December 2014 an honor student at West Bloomfield High School decided to remain seated during the Pledge of Allegiance to protest the numerous police killings of unarmed black men. Although the student had never been in trouble before, her civics teacher punished her by sending her to detention. The principal then told the student that she had to report to the office every morning while her classmates recited the pledge.
After the ACLU of Michigan emailed a letter to the principal, the superintendent and the school board, the principal immediately apologized to the student, saying that she may, if she wishes, exercise her right to remain seated in silent protest.
(ACLU Legal Director Michael J. Steinberg.)
To view the full 2014-2015 Legal Docket, click here.