A 15-year-old high school student in Connecticut is under federal investigation after he substituted “ISIS” for the “United States of America” during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ansonia High School officials alerted police who passed the incident report on to the Department of Homeland Security.
In a statement, the Ansonia Police Department said, “The allegation is that the male was allegedly making pro-ISIS statements during the Pledge of Allegiance,” a local ABC affiliate reported.
Police say there is no danger to the community. Federal officials declined to comment.
The boy, who has not been identified, now attends classes in a Board of Education annex building away from other students.
In a statement, the Ansonia Superintendent of Schools said it did not deem the incident “a legitimate threat to the safety of students or staff. Out of an abundance of caution, the incident was reported to the appropriate authorities. As far as the Ansonia Public Schools is concerned, the matter is resolved,” ABC reported.
The boy’s mother said at a board meeting that removing her son from school was an irrational decision, The Associated Press reported.
New Haven Civil Rights Attorney John Williams, who is not involved in the case, said the situation was a shame.
“This is in my view exactly what the terrorists want,” Mr. Williams told ABC. “They want to scare us so much that we become crazy and turn on each other.”
He said the case is a clear violation of the First Amendment right to free speech and argued the teenage is being punished for the content of his words.
“It’s pure speech. Not like the proverbial shouting fire in a crowded theater. No harm to anybody, except himself, because he looks silly,” Mr. Williams said.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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