Archive · 26 Jun 2025
Student Sues Teacher Over Pledge of Allegiance Refusal
A 14-year-old girl named Danielle, who is from a Palestinian family, didn't want to say the Pledge of Allegiance at school because she disagreed with the US supporting Israel.
Her teacher got upset and told her she should leave the country if she didn't like it.
The girl felt hurt and embarrassed.
The American Civil Liberties Union is now helping her by filing a lawsuit, saying the teacher's words were wrong.
The school district said they're looking into it.
A 14-year-old Palestinian-American student, Danielle Khalaf, was allegedly humiliated by her teacher for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The student was protesting the US support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
The ACLU filed a lawsuit on Khalaf's behalf, claiming emotional distress.
The teacher reportedly told Khalaf, "If you don't like it, you should go back to your country."
The school district stated it had taken "appropriate action" but didn't specify the actions.
- Who
- Danielle Khalaf, a 14-year-old student, and her teacher.
- What
- A lawsuit was filed against a teacher for allegedly humiliating a student who refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- When
- The incident occurred in January and the lawsuit was filed sometime before June 26, 2025.
- Where
- A school in the United States.
- Why
- Khalaf refused to recite the pledge to protest US support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
Student's Perspective
Teacher's Perspective
Freedom of Expression vs. Respect for National Symbols
Student's Perspective
The student's right to protest is protected under the First Amendment.
Teacher's Perspective
The teacher believed that the student's behavior was disrespectful.
- Student's Name
- Danielle Khalaf
- Age of Student
- 14
- Nationality
- Palestinian-American
- Organization Filing Lawsuit
- ACLU
- Reason for Protest
- US support for Israel's actions in Gaza
- Allegation
- Humiliation by teacher