Pledge protester wins, schools to review policy
RYAN CORNELL, Morning Journal Writer - September 14, 2000

LORAIN -- A Lorain Admiral King High School senior, sent home from
school Tuesday threatened with a three-deay suspension for refusing 
to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, was back in class yesterday 
and will not be punished, officials said.

Following a meeting with Admiral King Principal Anthony Cassano
yesterday, it was decided Vincent Capizzi, 17, will be allowed to sit
during the Pledge and the school board will review the new policy 
which requires all students to stand for the Pledge, said district
spokesman Ed Branham.

Meanwhile, no student will be forced to stand for the Pledge, Branham
said.

"Our whole intent was never to infringe on any student's rights,"
Branham said. "It grew a lot bigger than I thought it would and we 
just want him (Capizzi) to focus on his education now."

Cassano called the meeting "successful."

"I believe the issue is resolved," Cassano said. "Admiral King and its
students will comply with the board's policy."

American Civil Liberties Union attorney Ray Vasvari was pleased by the
decision.

The ACLU was threatening legal action if the school did not allow
Capizzi to return to class immediately.

"We are pleased that the Capizzi matter is (finished), but that 
doesn't mean the entire thing is resolved," Vasvari said. "I think 
the district's policy was obviously unconstitutional. We will be
following up with the school regarding the policy."

Capizzi's foster mother, Ruth Rollins, said he didn't want to discuss
the issue further, and, "He's glad to be back with no suspension."

Capizzi had said he was making a political statement by not standing
for the Pledge and was willing to take the matter to court if the
schools would not honor his beliefs.

On Tuesday, Capizzi explained his actions, saying, "I haven't stood 
all year. Right now, I don't agree with politics. Maybe when we get 
a new president who can show being an American is something to be 
proud of, I'd gladly stand for the Pledge of Allegiance then."

Vasvari defended Capizzi's decision by citing a 1943 U.S. Supreme 
Court ruling, West Virginia vs. Barnette, which established that
forcing students to stand for the Pledge is akin to forcing them to 
say the Pledge. Forcing any person to say the Pledge violates their
First Amendment rights, Vasvari said. (c) The Morning Journal 2000
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