A young female student named India decided to exercise her constitutional right and sit during the pledge of allegiance at school. But her Houston school wouldn't allow it. In fact,
they suspended her for doing it. She had been doing it for years and the school only took issue with it once the NFL protests began. Now,
the Texas Attorney General has come to school's defense and pointed out that it's against state law in 26 other states, too!
Sign now if you want everyone to be able to exercise their right to protest and be allowed to sit during the pledge of allegiance or national anthem in every state if they choose to. Forced patriotism is not what this country is supposed to be about. Actually, forcing people to stand during the pledge of allegiance is more reminiscent of authoritarianism than the "freedom" we as Americans are supposed to have.
I was a student who sat during the pledge of allegiance in high school and I faced social ramifications for it. I made a choice and I knew many of my peers and teachers wouldn't like it, but I did it anyway. Once I learned that that was my right, I sat. But I was never suspended for using my free agency in this way.
I am so angry that India's education was threatened due to peaceful protest. Apparently in Texas, a student needs a note from their parent to sit during the pledge. Well India's mom is amazing and is helping her
file a lawsuit about her suspension.
But this is bigger than India or myself —
young people and adults alike are being punished for exercising their right to peacefully protest. It's completely un-American and it must be stopped. According to a
Supreme Court decision in 1943, kids cannot be compelled to stand for and recite the pledge, so why are students still getting punished for their actions across the country?
The following states have statutes that require kids and teachers to recite the pledge: Texas, Florida, California, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, & Virginia. The wording in other states is vague and would likely need to be litigated in court. But honestly, these states should follow suit from the others by adding in a clause that allows kids to sit if they wish, as is their constitutional right.
Please sign my petition to ask that all states allow students to sit during the pledge if they wish with no limitations or ramifications. 