By Douglas V. Gibbs
The American Center for Law and Justice has just taken on a case to defend a student suspended from a New York middle school for wearing Rosary Beads. A traditional Catholic set of prayer beads, the Rosary worn by 13 year old Raymond had an even more special significance; it brings him comfort and honors the memory of his deceased older brother and uncle. When school officials asked the boy to remove the Rosary, he did not, and was suspended as a result.
The school officials stated that the wearing of the beads violated a school policy that considered the Rosary as possibly a gang identifier, and they required the beads be removed for safety reasons.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution does not allow the federal government to prohibit the free exercise of one's religion.
Raymond returned to school a second time, wearing the Rosary, and was suspended again.
Raymond has been wearing the Rosary since 2009 without incident, and it wasn't until last week that school officials suddenly told him to remove it because it violated the dress code, and in turn are using the dress code to prohibit Raymond's religious freedoms.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Defending Student Suspended for Wearing Rosary - ACLJ
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