School Suspends Teens for Wearing Crucifixes

AP ^ | February 25, 2008

[Clintonfatigued]

This is so wrong on so many levels.

[Mike Darancette]

The principal had better watch for the Mezuzah gang.

[FlingWingFlyer]

The school has definitely violated these girls’ First Amendment rights. IMHO.

[Natty Bumppo@frontier.net]

"He says it's related to gangs."

Yeah, those 12 Apostle dudes are really baaaad!

Why does this bozo Principal. Chris Equinoa still have a job?

[SoftballMominVA]

From reading about this earlier today on another thread, I learned that the Latin Kings, among others, actually DO use crucifixes as part of their gang symbols. One poster said that the type of cross described here (beaded) is exactly what they wear.

It's a shame when a gang co-opts a religious symbol

[ASA Vet]

Yesterday

[Kirkwood]

“The school has definitely violated these girls’ First Amendment rights. IMHO.”

They aren’t girls.

[gondramB]

>>From reading about this earlier today on another thread, I learned that the Latin Kings, among others, actually DO use crucifixes as part of their gang symbols. One poster said that the type of cross described here (beaded) is exactly what they wear.

It’s a shame when a gang co-opts a religious symbol<<

I have a core problem with banning expression in the first place - blue bandanna or whatever.

When it starts to include religions symbols the state has really over stepped.

If the gangs are engaging in criminal activity prosecute them vigorously for that - banning their clothing or jewelry is wrong, IMO. Its not unlike the people who ban guns instead of punishing crime committed with guns.

[processing please hold]

It's a shame when a gang co-opts a religious symbol

I believe Hitler did the same thing with the swatica (spel?)

[mware]

Quite a few years ago, we had problems with kids wearing rosary beads in school (I teach at a middle school) In that case it was drug related. The color beads worn indicated what type of drugs they were selling.

We told those wearing the rosary beads (only members of a gang that quickly disbanded after the administration had a chat with the police department) that they could be worn but had to be under their shirts.

[tflabo]

Here’s a thought... have ALL the kids return to school wearing crosses and crucifixes in defiant display.
Let’s see the school try to send ALL of them home after that.

[American Infidel]

It's a shame when a gang co-opts a religious symbol
I believe Hitler did the same thing with the swatica (spel?)

Indeed he did. The swastic (sp?) is a sanskrit symbol that has thousands of years of historical significance in Hinduism as do the Aryans, who were not necessarily white, blonde, blue eyed, etc. Hitler hijacked these things and changed the way the swastic and the term "aryan" are perceived forever.

[Soliton]

They were told to put them away or out of view. The kids are hispanic and so is the pricipal. They were not told to throw them away.

I support school officials until I have proof that they are wrong.

[purpleraine]

Don’t forget those Amish gangs.

[processing please hold]

Hitler hijacked these things and changed the way the swastic and the term "aryan" are perceived forever.

Ruined them for all time, I agree.

[impimp1]

It is public school - what do these kids expect?