Florida Teacher Denies 1st Grader Their 1st Amendment Right

A Wiregrass Elementary School first grader in Pasco County Florida chose to take a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance, and his mother and parents are upset with how the teacher, the school and the Pasco County school district responded.

On Monday September 25th, a first grader went down on one knee during the Pledge of Allegiance, and was quickly told by his teacher to stand up and stop it, in front of all his classmates. His choice came after countless NFL players took a knee during the national anthem on Sunday nationwide across America.

According to KWCH the son’s teacher texted his mother:

“I just wanted to let you know that this morning when it was time to do the Pledge of Allegiance, (your son) went down on one knee. I knew where he had seen it but I did tell him that in the classroom we are learning what it means to be a good citizen we’re learning about respecting the United States of America and our country symbols and showing loyalty and patriotism and that we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I know its a sensitive issue but I wanted to make you aware. Thanks.”

She says, “What the text message said to me was that him taking a knee was the exact opposite – [That] He was disrespectful of the county, he was being disrespectful of the flag… And we don’t teach that.”

According to ABC Action News, his mother said that she teaches her son to have an open mind, make his own decisions and that this was his idea.

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