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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 U.S. behind California,
according to the Census Bureau.
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