Latest news with #ArabAmericanCivilRightsLeague
UAE Moments
27-06-2025
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Palestinian Student Punished for Gaza Protest, Sues School
A 14-year-old student of Palestinian descent has filed a lawsuit against her Michigan school after claiming she was humiliated by a teacher for sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance. The case, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), centers on an incident that took place earlier this year when Danielle Khalaf chose not to stand as a personal protest against U.S. support for Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza. 'Go Back to Your Country' Comment Sparked Lawsuit According to the lawsuit, Danielle remained seated during the pledge over the course of three days in January. On one occasion, her teacher reportedly told her that 'if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' despite the fact that she is an American citizen. The complaint also states the teacher called the act of sitting 'disrespectful to soldiers and to America' in front of the class. Danielle said she tried to explain her reasons afterward, but was shut down. Emotional Impact and Legal Support The lawsuit claims the incident caused Danielle emotional distress, including nightmares, anxiety, and social strain with classmates. Civil rights groups say the teacher's response violated her First Amendment right to peaceful protest. The ACLU, along with the Arab American Civil Rights League, is seeking damages on Danielle's behalf, emphasizing that no student should be punished for expressing their views. Broader Context: War in Gaza and Student Protest Danielle said her decision to sit during the pledge was tied to her discomfort over the U.S. government's continued support for Israel amid the war in Gaza, which has killed over 56,000 Palestinians since it began in late 2023 following a Hamas attack that left over 1,200 Israelis dead. 'This wasn't about disrespect,' Danielle said at a press event. 'It was about my conscience. What's happening in Palestine deeply affects me.' School District Responds The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district responded by stating it had taken 'appropriate action' but did not specify further. It added that discrimination is not tolerated and all such matters are taken seriously. Michigan's Arab-American Community Michigan has one of the , second only to California, with over 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, according to U.S. Census data.
The National
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Palestinian pupil sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to refusal to stand for pledge
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 14-year-old Michigan pupil who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest against US support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday, said Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her that, because she lives in the US and enjoys its freedom, "if you don't like it, you should go back to your country'. The pupil, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the pledge over three days in January. 'We can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience and her heart,' ACLU lawyer Mark Fancher said. The lawsuit says her teacher admonished her and told her she was being disrespectful. As a result, Danielle 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,' including nightmares, stress and strained friendships, the lawsuit says. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle's First Amendment rights were violated, and the lawsuit seeks a financial award. "I decided I wanted to sit down because I didn't feel comfortable standing because of what's happening in Palestine," Danielle said at a news conference in February. The Israel-Gaza war, which began after a surprise attack by Hamas left about 1,200 people dead and 240 taken hostage, has resulted in the deaths of more than 56,000 Palestinians. Throughout the conflict, the US has continued to support Israel. "After the pledge was over, the teacher addressed the class and said that anyone that was sitting down was being very disrespectful to soldiers, to America," Danielle said, adding that she tried to speak to the teacher afterwards, but was dismissed. 'It was traumatising, it hurt and I know she could do that to other people." At that time, the school district said it had taken 'appropriate action', though it didn't elaborate. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,' the district said. Census Bureau.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Lawsuit: Michigan teacher tried to force Palestinian American student to stand for Pledge
A Palestinian American student in Michigan is suing a middle school teacher and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, claiming in federal court that the educator violated the student's First Amendment right by attempting to force the student to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The East Middle School teacher, Carissa Soranno, according to the lawsuit, allegedly told the student, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country.' The student, 14, is referred to as D.K. in the suit and is represented in the claim in U.S. District Court in Detroit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan and Arab American Civil Rights League. The student did not want to stand for the pledge because she believes the U.S. government has supported Israel in the Israel-Hamas war that has devastated Gaza and left thousands dead, according to the claim. The suit, filed June 25, asks for a judgment that finds the educator's actions unconstitutional and awards damages, claiming Soranno's actions inflicted emotional distress on the student. A spokesperson for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. Soranno did not answer a voicemail left by a reporter at a phone number associated with her name. "The right to freely speak — or not speak — is a form of protest that is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy — even when its exercise creates controversy or makes others uncomfortable," wrote Bonitsu Kitaba, interim legal director for the ACLU of Michigan, in a news release. According to the suit, Soranno asked her class on Jan. 6 to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. D.K. refused to stand, sitting quietly during the recitation. Soranno told the student the action was disrespectful to the U.S. military and the flag. The district admonished Soranno for her actions, according to the suit, sending a corrective action notice that read, "During the week of 1/6 – 1/10/2025, you made multiple comments expressing your beliefs as to why students should stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. ... This is a direct violation of what was discussed at the staff meeting dated January 6, 2025.' But, the claim states that the discussion at the Jan. 6 staff meeting was not enough. On Jan. 9, Soranno urged D.K. to stand and then told her she was being disrespectful and should be ashamed of herself, according to the suit. D.K. has suffered since these incidents: She struggles to sleep, she has been more stressed and is more guarded, according to the suit. Academically, she has slid. Nabih Ayad, an attorney with the Arab American Civil Rights League, wrote in a statement that it is "disturbing" a teacher would "call the student out for simply exercising her constitutional right not to partake in the Pledge of Allegiance as a sign of protest." The Pledge's place in school — and students' right to refuse — has long been the source of controversy. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in 1943 that compelling public school students to say the pledge was unconstitutional. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@
Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Palestinian American girl sues school after refusing Pledge of Allegiance
The father of a 14-year-old Michigan student is suing his daughter's school district and teacher on her behalf, alleging she was repeatedly humiliated and told to 'go back to your country' when she refused to stand for and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The complaint was filed Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Arab American Civil Rights League acting for Jacob Khalaf on behalf of his daughter, Danielle Khalaf, who is a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent. She was attending East Middle School in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools District at the time of the incident.
Arab News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestinian student sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to her refusal to stand for Pledge
DETROIT: The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 14-year-old student who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of US support of Israel's war in Gaza. Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' according to the lawsuit. Danielle, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the Pledge over three days in January. 'We can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience and her heart,' ACLU attorney Mark Fancher said. The lawsuit says her teacher admonished her and told her she was being disrespectful. As a result, Danielle 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,' including nightmares, stress and strained friendships, the lawsuit says. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle's First Amendment rights were violated, and the lawsuit seeks a financial award. 'It was traumatizing, it hurt and I know she could do that to other people,' Danielle said at a news conference in February, referring to the teacher's treatment. At that time, the school district said it had taken 'appropriate action,' though it didn't elaborate. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,' the district said. The school district declined Wednesday to comment further, citing the litigation. Michigan has more than 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, second in the US behind California, according to the Census Bureau.
