My school's handbook says:
FLAG SALUTENew Jersey law (18A:36-3) requires students to show respect for the flag of the United States of America. Each morning students are expected to be respectful and participate in the morning exercises.See:
Section 18A:36-3 of the New Jersey Statutes requires public schools to display the American flag and for students to stand and recite the flag salute. The statute allows students with conscientious scruples against the pledge or salute not to participate but requires them to stand at attention during the ceremony. That provision, requiring students to stand was held unconstitutional in by the United States Court of Appeals in Lipp v. Morris 579 F.2d 834 (C.A.N.J.,1978). Although the provision has been unenforceable for thirty years, it has never been removed from the statute. School officials who consult the statute may be led to believe that it is still the law and attempt to enforce it. That causes needless controversy. The Commission recommends that the unconstitutional provision be excised. The following amendment to 18A:36-3 will accomplish that result.1
The quote clearly states that the italicized part of the snippet is unconstitutional, yet it is still enforced in the student handbook. Bolded is what we are supposed to do every morning.
I am bringing this to your attention because I am wondering if I should bring this to the attention to the principal. I am concerned because I am planning to silently protest by not standing up and showing my respect to the flag by pledging to it, because of the following two lines in the Pledge of Allegiance:
- ",under God,"
- "with liberty and justice for all"
Item I clearly undermines the fact that the State (Government), which put this edit of the Pledge into effect in 1954, is supposed to be separate from religion.
Item II is a personal belief. This country doesn't have liberty and justice for all. People are bullied. People who love there own gender do not have liberty and justice.
1 http://www.lawrev.state.nj.us/anachr/unconststatFR012011-rev032312.pdfTL;DR i want to email a version of this statement to my principal, but I just want the BLF to give their opinions!!!1
