School rallies to retain sign: The ACLU says the message 'God Bless America' divides kids by religion and is unconstitutional.
By Ryan McCarthy
Bee Correspondent
(Published Oct. 6, 2001)
A demand by the American Civil Liberties Union
that Breen Elementary School in Rocklin remove
a "God Bless America" sign prompted angry
parents, students and administrators to rally at
the school Friday evening.
About 250 people, many clad in red, white and
blue, gathered to support the message, which
was placed on a marquee in front of the school
after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United
States.
Linda Kosturos, an instructional aide at Breen,
said, "Rocklin has been closer than ever in the
wake of the terrorist attacks. It's so sad this has
arisen."
The ACLU contends that the words broadcast "a
hurtful, divisive message."
The organization's Wednesday letter to Breen
Elementary calls the message a "clear violation of
the California and United States constitutions, as
well as the California Education Code."
"It must be replaced immediately," says the letter from Margaret Crosby,
staff counsel for the ACLU of Northern California, based in San Francisco.
Phillip Trujillo, an attorney representing the Rocklin Unified School District,
said the words don't violate laws on the separation of church and state.
"It's simply not a religious expression," he said. "It's instead a patriotic
expression."
His written response sent to the ACLU on Friday describes as "absurd" the
argument that the phrase "God Bless America" represents a "hurtful,
divisive message."
"I would like to think that the ACLU would not attempt to preclude or
inhibit the free expression of patriotism and goodwill at a time when it is
most appropriate, helpful or even healing," he said.
Mark Forbes, president of the district's board of trustees, said he was
"disgusted" by the ACLU request.
"I would like someone to explain how 'God Bless America' hurts anyone,"
he said.
ACLU attorney Crosby said Friday that "this is a time when we need to
promote unity among Americans of all faiths. Many schools are flying flags
to instill a sense of unity in a time of trouble."
"By displaying a religious message, the Breen Elementary School is
dividing its young students along religious lines," Crosby added. "School
officials are hurting and isolating their schoolchildren of minority faiths
when they should be supporting them and the values of pluralism and
tolerance."
Displaying such a message is not only unconstitutional "but implies only
students who share the faith are truly patriotic," she stated.
A parent whose child attends the school and is "greatly troubled by the
sign" spurred the request, the ACLU said in a written statement.
Before receiving the letter, Rocklin Superintendent Kevin Brown said he
had received calls from two people asking that the statement on the
marquee be removed.
He said that with the district's response Friday, "The ball's in the ACLU's
court."
Stella Richardson, media relations director for the ACLU of Northern
California, said, "It is entirely unprecedented" for a school not to take down
a message such as Breen displays.
Richardson said she is not aware of ACLU involvement at other schools
over similar issues.
Terry Thornton, Breen Elementary principal, said the words on the school
marquee reflect a grass-roots effort following the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.
"We are planning on keeping up our message," Thornton said.
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