American Student Punished for Refusing to Recite Mexican Pledge
Feb 27, 2013
A Texas high school student has filed a federal lawsuit against her school and her teachers after she was punished for refusing to salute and recite the Mexican pledge of allegiance.
The Thomas More Law Center filed the suit on behalf of Brenda Brinsdon alleging the McAllen Independent School District violated the 15-year-old girl’s constitutional rights when she was forced to recite the Mexican pledge and sing the Mexican national anthem.
Click here to read the lawsuit.
Brinsdon, who is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and an American father, refused. She believed it was un-American to pledge a loyalty oath to another country.
Ironically, the school district has a policy that prohibits a school from compelling students to recite the American Pledge of Allegiance.
The district also has a written policy that excuses students from reciting text from the Declaration of Independence if the student “as determined by the district, has a conscientious objection to the recitation.”
“There is a sad trend in public schools across our nation to undermine American patriotism,” said Richard Thompson president of the Thomas More Law Center. “But it’s encouraging to see students like Brenda stand up for America despite pressure from school officials.”
The TMLC told Fox News the district ignored its own rules when Brinsdon refused to recite the pledge of a foreign country.
What’s most troubling is the different treatment for someone wanting to opt out of reciting the American Pledge of Allegiance compared to someone as a matter of conscience wants to opt out of reciting the Mexican pledge,” spokesman Erin Mersino told Fox News.
A spokesman for the McAllen Independent School District told Fox News they had not seen a copy of the lawsuit.
The recitation of the Mexican pledge and the singing of the Mexican national anthem was part of a 2011 Spanish class assignment at Achieve Early College High School. The teacher, Reyna Santos, required all her students to participate in the lesson.
When Brinsdon refused to back down – she was punished, the lawsuit alleges. She was given an alternative assignment on the Independence of Mexico. The teacher gave her a failing grade – and then required the student to sit in class over a period of several days to listen to other students recite the Mexican pledge.
The lawsuit states Brinsdon offered to recite the American pledge in Spanish but the teacher refused her request.
“It’s astonishing that this Texas school would deny Brenda her right of conscience and free speech not to pledge allegiance to a foreign country,” said Thompson. “Too many Americans – including those of Mexican descent – have suffered and died protecting our nation.”
And while she is fluent in Spanish and English and is proud of her Mexican heritage, Brinsdon is a “true-blooded American,” Mersino added.
Mersino said it was especially troubling to watch video of students in the class standing up, extending their arms straight out, palms down and reciting the pledge of a foreign country.
“It’s disturbing – it truly was troubling,” she said.
Comments
We should all sign a petition to this teacher and school district Board thanking them for the heads-up on just how bad things have gotten in this country; and they can now leave their positions, go live across the border in the country that they are (in effect, if not in fact) pledging allegiance to, and don't come back, thank you very much.
Be nice. Some people have feelings that can be hurt. Hey - ask an American patriot about that.
I do believe we run Santa Ana out of Texas over 100 years ago what is this supposed to be some sort of end run around our Pledge of Allegence? This is America not Mexico thank God for that
This is sickening. Since the teachers and this school district are obviously against the United States, they need to be terminated. Also, check and see how many of the staff are actually illegals - as I have said before, bye, bye! I hope she wins big and teaches them a valuable and expensive lesson. This is not Mexico and you couldn't pay me to live there. What a wonderful young patriot!
Dee, I've been trying to post on Jan Morgan Media my thorough response to the idea that the last time I checked this is the United States of America not Mexico period. If they continue to push this agenda and meddle in our affairs there will be consequences to pay!
Citizens of McAllen should rise up and fire the teacher and anybody else that approved exemption from reciting our Pledge or reading the Constitution or Declaration.
IF they don't, they just voted for more of the same.
So, McAllen. What's it going to be?
Come on Texas ! drop kick these b--t--ds back accross the border!!!!!! You want to salute Mexico then go live there and don't come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It erks the crap out of me to see these ingrates take advantage of America and salute Mexico!!!! Get the ---k out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy !! would I love to be an escourt!!!!
The community should recall all members of the McAllen Independent School District Board and replace them. These members should be aware of what is being taught in their school district. Make an example of any political leader who allows this country to be bad mouth by any wanna-be-americans.
I would like to see the school have to pay big time, like millions to this student. With out any pressure to stay within the constitution they will do anything they want. Have to pay , they change!
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