Kindergarten‘s ’Merry Christmas’ Bracelet Ban Overturned…ACLJ Defends 6-Year-Old’s Right To Free Speech
- Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:16am by
Mike Opelka
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The American Center for Law and Justice is an organization known for fighting for the rights of all freedom-loving Americans. Just this week, the ACLJ scored a victory for a very young lady who was prevented from giving her kindergarten classmates a bracelet that said “Merry Christmas” as a gift!
A small town in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania was the site of this curious attack on free speech and freedom of expression. The family of the young girl contacted the ACLJ after their daughter was told by a teacher and school principal that her choices of gifts to give to her classmates would not be allowed. What were these allegedly offensive gifts?
- A pencil that said “Happy Birthday Jesus”
- A bracelet that said “Merry Christmas”
Despite the fact that the items mentioned were going to be given by one student to another student as gifts, the teacher and principal said “no.”
The ACLJ reviewed the parent’s letter and contacted the school with a demand letter, reminding the administrators of the “avalanche of precedent permitting student speech – even when those students are very young.”
The school backed down. The young lady was allowed to give her gifts to her friends. And the ACLJ is calling this “A Christmas Victory.”
The ACLJ counts this among its many wins in 2011. The group’s website is touting some of their other accomplishments from the past year:
We’ve taken bold stands on the national and international stage – including representing more than 100 members of Congress in the ObamaCare litigation, weighing in at the U.N. in support of Israel’s right of self-defense and against the Palestinian effort to short-circuit the peace process, and we’ve worked hard to save a courageous Iranian pastor from a death sentence.
If you care to know more about the American Center for Law & Justice, their mission and their leadership (Jay Sekulow and Jordan Sekulow), links to their website are included here.
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Comments (71)
votingusmcvet
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:27amI might start to believe in a law organization if they did this stuff for free, the major part of greed in the corruption equation comes from lawyers yet I never see them go after one another or them serving time if warranted.
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:31pmThe ACLJ is a great organization, headed up by Jay Sekulow. This is his job, he’s entitled to make a living. I’m sure he does pro bono work, but even lawyers need to make a living.
Why don’t you back up your words and go to do your job without pay for a month.
Report Post »tankyjo
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:44pmMaybe they could do it free if soros loved em. I’m in no way near even middle middle class any more, but I love the ACLJ and I give money to them. These folks are the best, understated at that.
Report Post »TunaBlue
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 7:12pmMr. Sekulow has done plenty of pro bono work. This is the antithesis to the ACLU, and I’m supporting their efforts. Go Jay!
Report Post »ghostsouls
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:48pmHooray for ACLJ!!!
Report Post »waggie
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:02amObviously you are another union thug.
Report Post »voxoffreedom
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:31amFor free? Nothing is free including freedom if you are a USMC vet as you say you are. Here we are being assaulted on every turn by arab money being paid to use our laws against us in the courts of law and you want free? Either you’re an idiot or senile. It costs money to go to court, file briefs, file suits, and defend freedom. Perhaps unlike you I defended freedom as a Marine Sgt. that isn’t free either, genius. ACLJ has been defending Christian principles against the onslaught of socialism in our country. Get a clue before you open your mouth and remove all doubt about your internecine stupidity.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:03pmThey would do it “free of charge,” and they normally arrange for that, if more people who benefit from their work would donate to the cause. I suppose you also think doctors should perform lifesaving heart bypass operations for free? Heck, the police should work for free too, and teachers.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:16pmTo HELL with the ACLU and it’s communist manifesto.
Report Post »behindHIM
Posted on January 3, 2012 at 1:29pmSo don’t believe it…sounds like you have your unicorns and peppermint fairies to believe in. Once you have to get a job to make your own way, hopefully you’ll do a JOB that is meaningful and helpful to others. This is an example of such a job if you ever decide you need to grow up and get one.
Report Post »sjohn70037
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:08amSince no one at The Blaze is willing to wish all of their readers Merry Christmas, please allow me:
Merry Christmas to All
Report Post »votingusmcvet
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:22amA Merry Christmas to all and a prosperous New Year!!!
Report Post »Mike Opelka
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:34am? Huh? We’ve been saying on the blog all week! And I’ll reply here too, from our house to all of yours, “Merry Christmas!”. Mike
Report Post »wmoran5780
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:47pmMerry christmas to you to and i hope we can get our country back
Report Post »IndyfromCa
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:52amYeah, now I trust the ACLU….NOT…they are just a bunch of communists!
Report Post »uncivilized
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:56amWasn’t the ACLU…it was the ACLJ. Different organization entirely. I’m with you, wouldn’t trust the former as far as I could throw them.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:00amThis is the ACLJ not the ACLU. Comprenda? Two different animals. One good, one very bad.
Report Post »Bounder
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:27amThe ACLJ is Kryptonite to the ACLU.
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:42amFinally!!! Something good for our kids and country.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:14amWe no longer have an Education System…. We have an INDOCTRINATION INDUSTRY…. Cuz its only about cash flow for the administrators and greedy teacbers, and poisoning these kids brains with Leftist Crap….. Propaganda , and money…. Nothing more, im so grateful my kids went to private schools !!!!!!!!
Report Post »Mess23
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:54amThe system took a 6 year old girl to court for being nice? Obama’s peeps making me proud. :)
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:14pmyes the 6 year old portion of this story is the worst part. why why why make a child feel this way and why make this end in a court battle. God help us
Report Post »behindHIM
Posted on January 3, 2012 at 1:36pmI know this is an old post to this person but they think this article is about the ACLU and that “Obama’s peeps” helped this little girl. MY GOSH it’s only 4 letters people!! Can’t you distinguish 4 letters??!!
Report Post »dylan
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:51amHow is burning the American Flag free speech? I’m not ignorant on most issues-on this one I am. Some one please explain rational of the court on this ruling.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:04amIt falls under the “Freedom of Expression” portion of Free Speech. You know that new interpretation made by the left to a phrase that is not in the Constitution. That is why the Virgin Mary can be pissed on among other things displayed to insult Christianity. But by God, don’t insult Muslims or atheist as that is just unacceptable
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:11amSay “Thank You” with a check for $10 or more.
Report Post »RLTOWNS
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 7:11amWe need to support the ACLJ more now then we ever needed. Jesus and the ACLJ are our only hope with these cronies in Washington. I‘d hate to see what our country will look like this time next year if BHO get’s re-elected. Even if Elmer Fud ran against BHO I’d vote for Elmer Fud, sad to say but it’s true.
Report Post »auntbea
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:50amI’d vote for Mickey Mouse and I hate mice!!
Report Post »momsense
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:41amWanna save America? Get rid of the ACLU ! They’re nothng but a bunch of committed Com munists any way !
Report Post »Square Dancer
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:45amACLU = Anti-Christian Liberal Union
Report Post »bsone
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:49amACLU – All Criminals Love Us
Report Post »Bounder
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:28amACLU – Aunt Clara Loves Underpants
Report Post »AAB126
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:30amRE: AUNTBEA
You are exactly right! The manifesto to destroy America without firing a shot is rooted in the destruction of religion, the breakup of the nuclear family, the destruction of morals, the poisoning of young minds, the promotion of class warfare, and many other tenets.
God Bless the United States of America, for it is only through Him that we have hope.
Report Post »auntbea
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 5:51amThe war on Christmas is not just against Christmas and Christianity, but is a major part of the all out attack on America – on our basic freedoms, our traditions, and our American way of life. We need to take this war on America seriously and fight back in every way we can. We need to support organizations like the ACLJ.
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:24pmNobody here has commented on the fact that the people that gave the girl grief was the TEACHER PRINCIPAL. Everybody has their Christianity emotions going (of which I do too) and neglect the real problem…as some have said, “COMMUNISM”. Teacher & principal should be punished and have to cover their own legal costs.
More idiots playing with somebody else’s money.
Report Post »INTHEBEGININGGOD
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 5:17amThis is a win for the Christians. How about that obama.
Report Post »INTHEBEGININGGOD
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 5:15amI would bet someone in Hawaii is pisse_ off.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:56amok when I first saw the title I said wow the ACLU is doing something good but in fact it was the ACLJ .
Report Post »Thank You ACLJ .
ZengaPA65
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:53am1st amendment for the win!
Report Post »crabbyoldman
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 4:18amChalk one up for the good guys.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 3:02amI hate saying this, because it’s Christmas and all, but liberals ruin everything they touch. Every time liberals speak, it’s foul. Every time they impose themselves, they steal another person’s joy. Realistically–how dare someone impose on the generosity of another who wants to give a gift? Gifts are precious things, so how dare an outsider say what is ‘appropriate’?
Liberals are so foul, yet they somehow think themselves superior in all things, including all between intellect and morality. Pffft!
Liberals are truly horrid people, as we see here as posted all the time. Truly–I hate saying this on Christmas Day.
Good that someone stood up so this child could give her precious gifts. I hope she isn’t harmed by yet another offense committed by liberals.
Report Post »TheVoice1
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:17amACLJ is awesome… please support them in these fights for us.
Stand Strong America
Report Post »Solzhenitsin
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:48pmThe ACLJ doesn’t only work hard for the USA, but they have affilitates in other countries to work hard to protect religious rights too. Their Russian partners have done a lot to protect religious freedom for minority faiths and protestants when the Duma has considered laws to favor the Orthodox, Buddhists, Muslims (all considered historical and therefore more nationally ‘legitimate’) and punish other churches.
Report Post »snixy
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:15amMerry Christmas and thank you ACLJ – you will be blessed for your stand
Report Post »1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:01amMerry Christmas ACLU
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:53amLooks like a fight between the ACLJ and the ACLU is about happen. DOJ will be kicking down the doors at ACLJ very soon I imagine.
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:43amSome of the only lawyers i have respect for the ACLJ not to be confused with ACLU.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:43amWow.. someone out there that stands up for our rights… this is awesome!! Thank You ACLJ!!
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:35amThank you ACLJ
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