Arkansas —

FFRF received a report concerning disciplinary action related to students in Parkers Chapel School District in Little Rock exercising their freedom of conscience. Students had been reprimanded by district teachers for choosing not to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. As a result of this constitutional violation, FFRF’s parent-complainant reported that their child had been singled out in school and received threats from fellow students due to their refusal to participate in the exercise.

“Students have a constitutional right not to be forced to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “Students may not be singled out, rebuked, told they must stand, or otherwise penalized for following their freedom of conscience.”

FFRF received a response from the district’s legal representative, Phillip M. Brick Jr. from the Bequette Billingsley Kees law firm. Brick confirmed that the issue regarding teachers disciplining students for not standing during the pledge had been resolved. “One of the individuals identified as having allegedly disciplined a student is a substitute teacher,” Brick wrote. “The district has instructed its staff, including this substitute teacher, that they cannot discipline a student who chooses not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.”

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