Meet Danielle Khalaf, 14, a Michigan student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance last January in protest of US support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Danielle said she was humiliated by her teacher after she declined to stand for and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, according to Washington Post.

She tried to explain to her teacher in private three times, as to why she refused to recite the Pledge. However, her teacher ignored her and told her, “Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don’t like it, you should go back to your country.” The teacher added, "By doing so, you are disrespecting the flag and our military."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle’s First Amendment rights were violated. Both groups filed a lawsuit on behalf of Danielle claiming she “suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,” including nightmares, stress, and strained friendships and are seeking a financial award in the suit.

First of all, you may or may not agree with Danielle's refusal to stand up and/or recite the Pledge. However, the Supreme Court many times over the last century has repeatedly stated that saying the Pledge is VOLUNTARY. Teachers cannot force students to say it. This lawsuit is pretty cut and dry and she will win.

Danielle, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the pledge over three days in January. The lawsuit states the teacher admonished her, calling her behavior disrespectful. Her teacher should have known better that the US and Israel have been murdering Palestinians en masse and the world has been watching over for over the last 20 months. Jounalists, medics, doctors, women, and children have been favorite targets.

The teacher has overstepped her authority and DID NOT have a right to humiliate her student because Danielle was practicing her connotationally protected rights.

You disrespect our troops and the military when you arrest a veteran and forcefully self deport a Purple Heart recipient.

You disrespect the flag and our veterans when you deport a father of three US Marines who lived in America for 48 years and came to America when he was 7 years old.

Michigan school district should teach their students that:

* One third of the people in our armed forces are foreign-born.

* Arab and Muslim-Americans are serving in all branches of our armed forces.

* Arab and Muslim-Americans are part of the fabric that makes this country great. 

* They have sacrificed to keep America free and safe and have served in every war and conflict since the Revolutionary War.

* The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in the Military (www.@apaam.org) put the number of Muslims currently serving in all   branches of the Armed Forces to over 6,000 members.

Arab and Muslims are sick and tired of having their loyalty and patriotism questioned and depicted as sleeping cells, foreigners, and unpatriotic. I do not remember how many times over the years I was told, "If you don't like it, you can go back to where you came from." The worst insult was when one of my supervisors once told in 2000, "You are not really American!" That was in a civilian job, and she knew it was in the AF reserve. The sad part, she could not name the five states neighboring Ohio. My answer to those ignorant people is, "I earned my citizenship whereas you inherited yours."

Daneille Khalaf is U.S.-born and raised citizen and America is the only country she knows. If it is okay for MAGA clowns to support and defend the Israeli genocide in Gaza, why can't Danielle Khalaf have the right to call out the US-Israeli genocide? Inquiring mind wants to know! What's good for the goose is good for gander. Free speech is not limited to white supremacists. Free speech applies to black, brown, yellow and white people.

No one can be forced to say the Pledge if they do not want to. We don't have forced patriotism in this country. We have free speech. Period! Danielle have been watching for the last 20 month her own country supporting the genocide of her people. Therefore, why should she stand up and recite the Pledge? The US Supreme Court ruled on that in 1943. It should be only on a voluntary basis

Not everyone shares the same view of America as the MAGA. The US does not demand people say the Pledge. This is not Russia or China. Besides, many religious groups are given exemptions. I pledge allegiance to God only. Not a piece of material which is basically an idol, not any man, nor any nation.

Just remember, Danielle Khalaf wasn't burning the flag and spray-painting statues. She also wasn't yelling and screaming during the PoA. It is her constitutional right to sit. Attemping to deprive her of that right is what is disrespectful to the Constitution.

She is not REQUIRED to stand for the Pledge; her RIGHTS trump your opinion of what is and isn't respectful. The First Amendment is part of the US Constitution still, right?

As far as Danielle's teacher is concerned, his First Amendment rights are restricted in addition and telling her to "go back" to her country WAS/Is a racist attack which is NOT permitted. The School Board will most likely offer a settlement. Part of that settlement SHOULD be the termination of the racist teacher.

My message to Danielle, I am proud of you. You tell them, girls! Teach them a lesson that they should never forget! This is our America too and if they don't like it, they have to live with it.