Teacher dismissed for berating student who protested pledge of allegiance

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

A Pennsylvania substitute teacher has been barred from working in the Carlisle Area School District after reprimanding a student who refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance.

Last week, Michael Smith, a Carlisle student, said that his friend Admir refused to stand during the pledge of allegiance. Admir, who is Bosnian-American, was apparently upset about “wars going on in the Middle East,” according to Smith.

*Singer Performs National Anthem Kneeling in Support of Black Lives Matter

When Admir refused to stand, the substitute teacher berated him in front of the class.

“And if you don’t stand up, you’d better have a good reason why,” the substitute said in a conversation captured by Smith on his cell phone.

*Was Sevyn Streeter Barred from Singing National Anthem because of ‘We Matter’ Shirt?

The teacher then remarked: “Well OK, then maybe you would just like to leave the country.”

Smith tells WHTM-TV that Admir has been protesting the anthem since “sixth grade.” Smith started the hashtag #WeSitWithAdmir to show support for his friend and his protest. Admir, who didn’t want to go on camera for the WHTM-TV report, commented that his school and classmates have been very supportive of his decision.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE