Paxton takes a stand for Cy-Fair ISD in case of student who sat for Pledge of Allegiance

By Gabrielle Banks Updated 9:53 am CDT, Wednesday, September 26, 2018

The state of Texas is taking a very public stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in a case involving a Katy student expelled after she sat during the daily ritual at her school.

The notice of intervention by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton comes on the brink of midterm elections amid heightened tensions over patriotism and civil rights.

“School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge,” Paxton said in a news release. “The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.” ... He said the choice about individual students reciting the pledge falls to their parents or guardians.

RULING: Civil rights case by Cy-Fair student expelled after sitting for Pledge of Allegiance gets nod for trial

Attorney Randall L.Kallinen, who represents the expelled student and her mother, said it’s rare for Paxton to weigh in on a civil rights case, and questioned Paxton’s rationale since the girl’s mother supports her decision to sit for the pledge.
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Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and send her tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com.