Los Angeles (Nov.11) Student leaders at a California college have touched off furor by banning the Pledge of Allegiance at their meetings, saying they see no reason to publicly swear loyalty to God the U.S. government.


The move by Orange Coast College student trustees, the latest clash over patriotism and religion in American schools, has infuriated some of their classmates--prompting one young woman to loudly recite the pledge in front of the board on Wednesday night in defiance of the rule.

"America is the one thing I`m passionate aobut and I can`t let them take that away from me," 18 year old political science major Christine Zoldos told Reuters.

"The fact that they have enough power to ban one of the most valued traditions in America is just terrible," Zoldos said, adding she would attend every board meeting to salute the flag.

The move was led by three recently elected student trustees, who ran for office wearing revolutionary style berets and said they do not believe in publicly swearing an oath to the American flag and government at their school. One student trustee voted against the measure which does not apply to other student groups or campus meetings.

The ban follows a 2002 ruling by a federal appeals court in San Francisco that said forcing school children to recite the pledge was unconstitutional because of the phrase "under God." The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the ruling on procedural grounds but left the door open for another challenge.

Sophomore Chris Belanger, one of several students who attended the meeting to support keeping the pledge, waved an American flag and accused the board of "radical views and anti-Americanism."

why does it even matter if they say it or not? they still live in america so they obviously cant hate it that much.

UNGRATEFUL ***.HOLES. DON'T BLAME THE COUNTRY FOR WHAT THOSE WHO RUN IT HAVE DONE.

I think it's sad losing patriotism and our country.

This so sad. Why do we have to set aside our traditions, makes no sense.

it makes me sick....everyone has their own beliefs, but we all live in the same country!