Atheist Republic ✒ On December 16, 2021, American Atheists announced their success in a lawsuit on behalf of Mari Leigh Oliver, a nonreligious high school student in Houston, Texas.

By Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa



The student not only objected to reciting “under God”, but did not feel that “liberty and justice to all” applied to all citizens, particularly those of color. The lawsuit was filed against her teacher, Benjie Arnold, who retaliated against her for sitting out the Pledge of Allegiance.

In June, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant the Houston suburb teacher qualified immunity. Arnold then petitioned for a rehearing. On December 15, by a vote of 10-7, the Fifth Circuit of Appeals rejected Arnold’s request.

Geoffrey T. Blackwell, American Atheists’ Litigation Counsel, spoke on the rejection. “This is an important victory for nonreligious Americans’—and all Americans’—freedom of speech… The classroom is not a pulpit. It is a place of education, not indoctrination. No student should be punished for exercising her First Amendment rights.”

Continue reading @ Atheist Republic.

Teacher Who Harassed Non-Religious Student Loses Court Appeal

Atheist Republic ✒ On December 16, 2021, American Atheists announced their success in a lawsuit on behalf of Mari Leigh Oliver, a nonreligious high school student in Houston, Texas.

By Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa



The student not only objected to reciting “under God”, but did not feel that “liberty and justice to all” applied to all citizens, particularly those of color. The lawsuit was filed against her teacher, Benjie Arnold, who retaliated against her for sitting out the Pledge of Allegiance.

In June, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant the Houston suburb teacher qualified immunity. Arnold then petitioned for a rehearing. On December 15, by a vote of 10-7, the Fifth Circuit of Appeals rejected Arnold’s request.

Geoffrey T. Blackwell, American Atheists’ Litigation Counsel, spoke on the rejection. “This is an important victory for nonreligious Americans’—and all Americans’—freedom of speech… The classroom is not a pulpit. It is a place of education, not indoctrination. No student should be punished for exercising her First Amendment rights.”

Continue reading @ Atheist Republic.

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