Posted on 04/10/2005 4:59:10 PM PDT by Zilch
Teen risks penalty over beads School threatens in-school suspension if Raven Furbert dons red, white and blue necklace
By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer First published: Saturday, April 9, 2005
SCHENECTADY -- The saga continues for a 13-year-old Mont Pleasant Middle School student who is suing school officials for the right to wear a handmade red, white and blue necklace to class. Raven Furbert was a typical student before she received a string-it-yourself bead kit for Christmas.
Now, the girl who filed the civil rights violation claim in U.S. District Court in February has drawn national attention as she fights administrators who say paraphernalia featuring gang-oriented colors is prohibited. At least 50 Web sites have been dedicated to her.
Furbert said she wears the necklace in honor of soldiers serving overseas, including an uncle and three other relatives.
Friday, the case again boiled over when Furbert's mother, Katie Grzywna, was called to school after her daughter was threatened with in-school suspension if she didn't remove the beads.
Grzywna opted instead to take her daughter home for the day.
"This is ridiculous," she said. "If she's in an in-school suspension Monday, I'll be sitting on the hood of my car wearing a red-, white- and blue necklace from 8 to 3."
"This is an action taken by the district to punish her for standing up for her rights," added the family's lawyer, Bob Keach.
"They're enforcing an unwritten, unconstitutional policy against a 13-year-old who wants to show her patriotism."
School district spokesman Michael Lisi said officials are happy to let the courts do the work: "You can't measure prevention," he said.
Remember to file a civil suit naming the administrators individually and the district, seeking $10 million at least.
And for a real good reason:
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 18,CHAPTER 13, SECTION 242;
Deprivation of rights under color of law
Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
You go, grrrl! Sue the living sh*t out of that school district for (1) being so stupid, (2) being traitorous idiots and (3) daring to draw a paycheck from the public treasury with the above liabilities. Use the settlement money to go to Patrick Henry or Hillsdale College and finish the rest of these fifth column types off when you get a seat on the Supreme Court someday.
Where's the ACLU when you need them? (sarcasm of course!)
Because some of us saw the story when it first appeared. Other Articles. Pictures.
If she were homeschooled or attended a private school would there be a law suit?
IIRC, one is the Bloods, and the other the Crips, and they have not generally enjoyed a peaceful relationship. Why would someone wear colors of two or three rival gangs when the obvious (given) explanation makes more sense?
These people are educating children? Sheesh!
Outrage bump.
" Then I read about a little girl and red, white and blue necklace and shake my head"
Don't forget the second grader in Atlanta suspended for carring a weapon...in the form of a Tweety Bird key ring. It had a one inch chain attaching Tweety to the key ring, and was therefore considered a dangerous weapon. Also there was an episode of a child suspended for possession of a GI Joe toy gun (3/4")
Is this the issue? As her white mom, I don't know? and honestly do not want to go there. She is my daughter, and I am very proud of her for this.
Google her name.
It just struck me that the actions of the school administration could be classified as racial profiling.
Oh yeah, those beads are pretty provocative.
What gang is that? Oh yeah, the gang of USA!
It's not a "gang", it's a "club".
I am very gang symbol stupid.. (thank God) .. but does any official gang have red white and blue as their colors?
Yet another reason to homeschool.
I have not, nor will I go there. Some other people have mentioned this to me however, I just don't think it is relavent. Maybe thats what made them violate her rights but for us it just isn't an issue. They have taught her to sterotype already with this case. One instance is they had a substitute teacher named Mr. Hussien and she was afraid to go into his class so she went to someone elses math class out of fear. She ended up with in-school suspension for this. For those of you that may have missed NRANews.com with Cam Edwards, he gave us the time to tell our story and pass the word around.I know alot of opinions on the ACLU and if people have other suggestions for whom I may contact for help, please let us know. I have posted Raven's Necklaces on e-aby and she donated the proceeds so for to the freepation. The prices have been lowered to $3.00 which only covers the cost of making, envelope for shipping and an additional $1.65 for postage. She makes about.55 a piece. This is a good girl
*nods*
Here is another organisation that might be able to help:
www.thefire.org
Fire stands for Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.
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