COLUMBIA, S.C. — A 15-year-old student at River Bluff High School says she was physically assaulted by a teacher for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Now her parents are suing Lexington School District One, Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait, school Principal Jacob Smith, teacher Nicole Livingston and the S.C. Department of Education on her behalf.
On Nov. 29, 2022, Marissa Barnwell, a Black honor roll student, was walking in the hallway on her way to class when the Pledge of Allegiance began to play over the intercom, according a federal lawsuit filed Feb. 13. Barnwell allegedly refrained, in a “non-disruptive manner,” to acknowledge the pledge as she walked into her classroom.
