McAllen girl looking for apology more than anything else
A McAllen girl’s refusal to say the Mexican Pledge of Allegiance in class two years ago is back in the news. The teen is taking her school to court.
Brenda Brinsdon and her lawyers have filed a federal lawsuit against Achieve Early College High School in McAllen. Brinsdon refused her assignment in 2011 and was given a failing grade for that assignment. Erin Mersino of the Thomas More Law Center, the firm taking the case, told KTRH Brinsdon only wants one thing.
“We’re asking the court to say that what the school did was unconstitutional,” Mersino told KTRH. “We’re not seeking any sort of monetary damages.”
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association President Chris Tritico told KTRH that Brinsdon has a good shot of winning.
“It is a civil right violation to force a student to say a pledge to a foreign country, even as an assignment,” Tritico said.
Tritico said if it goes the distance, he believes Brinsdon will win.
“You can’t force a student to recite a pledge to a foreign country.
KTRH contacted the McAllen I-S-D about this suit. They said they are still in the process of reviewing it.
