Latest news with #DanielleKhalaf
UAE Moments
6 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Don't Like It? Leave': US Student Humiliated For Refusing To Recite Pledge Over Gaza War
Last Updated: Danielle Khalaf, a 14-year-old student, alleged that she was humiliated by a teacher for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Danielle Khalaf, a 14-year-old Palestinian-American student who says a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the US Pledge of Allegiance in protest against Washington's support for Israel's war in Gaza. The Pledge of Allegiance in the United States is a short statement of loyalty to the American flag and the nation. It's traditionally recited by students at the beginning of the school day in many public schools across the US. 'I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," are the words for the pledge. Refusing to stand for or recite the pledge, especially in protest, is protected under the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League in their lawsuit alleged the same and have sought a financial award claiming that it demoralised 14-year-old Khalaf. '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 was quoted as saying by WXYZ-TV. The lawsuit claims that Danielle'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". Danielle's family is of Palestinian descent and she declined to recite the pledge over three days in January. The lawsuit outlines that the teacher admonished her, calling her behavior disrespectful. The lawsuit states that she 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries" and also suffered from nightmares, stress and strained friendships. 'It was traumatising, it hurt and I know she could do that to other people," Danielle said at a news conference earlier this year. Members of the school district said that it has taken 'appropriate action" but did not specify what those actions were, the WXYZ-TV said. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously," the district said. First Published: June 26, 2025, 21:43 IST
Washington Post
6 days ago
- 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.
Washington Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
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 U.S. 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.
