DETROIT (AP) — A suburban Detroit school district has agreed to provide First Amendment training to staff members in order to settle a lawsuit filed by a teenager, Danielle Khalaf, who claimed a teacher humiliated her for opting not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance as a protest against U.S. support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
The Plymouth-Canton district will also provide a $10,000 payment funded by the teacher's insurance company, though they did not admit any wrongdoing. Superintendent Monica Merritt commended Danielle for her bravery in speaking out against the incident.
“Our mission is to foster a school environment that is safe, respectful, and welcoming for all,” Merritt stated on Friday.
Danielle, of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the pledge for three consecutive days in January 2025. The lawsuit alleges that during this time, her teacher scolded her, claiming she was disrespectful and suggested she should leave the country if she did not appreciate its freedoms.
According to the lawsuit, Danielle experienced emotional injuries, such as nightmares and damaged friendships.
“It was terrifying at times, scary to face a teacher and overwhelming with the attention that came with the publicity. But it taught me the importance of speaking up for what I believe is right,” Danielle said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union and Arab American Civil Rights League.
With over 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, Michigan ranks second in the U.S. for such demographics, trailing behind California, as reported by the Census Bureau.
The settlement dictates that any documentation suggesting Danielle violated school policy will be deleted from her records.
