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1.30.07

After ADF Attorneys Intervene, Students Can Still Say Pledge of Allegiance...

"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."

Those words were signed into law on June 14, 1954 by one of my favorite presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower and have been spoken at the beginning of each school day by millions of children ever since.



Dwight D. Eisenhower

Yet, just a few weeks ago, a Tucson, Arizona, public high school barred reciting of the Pledge -- until ADF lawyers got involved.

On January 17th, students at Tucson Accelerated High School were advised via the public announcement system that the Pledge would no longer be recited on campus. Why? Because a very small number of students complained about reciting the Pledge and the student council voted to end its recitation.

Two brothers, Samuel and Robert Lucero, who had lost a family member in Iraq and have two other siblings presently fighting there, brought a United States flag to school and were prepared to recite the Pledge on their own. When they were told they could not do so by school officials, they contacted ADF, and our lawyers – whose efforts you make possible – sent a letter to advise the school of the law. Shortly thereafter, the school confirmed that it would allow those students who wish to recite the Pledge to do so.


Gary McCaleb

ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb said: "No student at a public school can be prohibited from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance if he or she wants to. The school overreacted by barring the Pledge after a few students objected to saying it. Even if the school was trying to be "sensitive" to a small number of complaining students, prohibiting the recitation of the Pledge violates both Arizona statutory law and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Students can opt out of reciting the Pledge, but the school must allow each student the opportunity to voluntarily recite it. That's what the law says. We commend the school for its swift action in this matter. It has enhanced its excellent reputation by now protecting the First Amendment rights of all of its students."

A copy of the letter from ADF attorneys to the school leader can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/LuceroLetter.pdf.

We praise God for another victory for the Constitutional rights of all students to acknowledge our Lord and our flag. Thank you for making it possible through your faithful prayers and support.

Read the ADF press release...

ADF Television Special – "Our First Liberty" to Re-Air This Week...
The ADF television special – "Our First Liberty" – will re-air on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on Tuesday, January 30th at 12:30 a.m. (EST), 11:30 p.m. (CST), 10:30 p.m. (MST), and 9:30 p.m. (PST) and on Thursday, February 1st at 12 noon (EST), 11 a.m. (CST), 10 a.m. (MST), and 9 a.m. (PST). Learn more at www.telladf.org/tbn.

Prayer Requests | Visit the ADF prayer page
"Without Christ, we can do nothing." - John 15:5

Please pray for wisdom and for victory in the many legal battles ahead
Please continue to pray for the recovery of ADF co-founder Dr. D. James Kennedy.

Alliance Defense Fund
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info@alliancedefensefund.org