Despite free speech guarantees in the Bill of Rights, state law, and in the Montgomery County School System's Regulations, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland once again had to take action on behalf of a student in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) who was repeatedly harassed and intimidated by teachers and an assistant principal for declining to stand while the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. This incident is the fourth time the ACLU has contacted Montgomery County Public Schools concerning students' rights to decline to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance since 2005, and the fifth such occurrence reported to us from Montgomery County in the same time period.
- ACLU of Maryland letter to MCPS, Damascus High School officials
- 040913 Press Release: ACLU Defends Montgomery County Student Harassed for Not Standing for Pledge; Repeated Violations Demand Systemic Reform in County
- Attorney Judith Bresler response, on behalf of MCPS
- Second ACLU of Maryland letter to MCPS
- 052113 Press Release: ACLU Slams Montgomery County Schools For Refusing to Discuss How to Stop Pledge of Allegiance Harassment; County Needs to Ensure Policy is Followed in Schools
