Lawsuit file RE: Zero Tolerance

WAGCEVP · May 5, 2001, 08:30 PM

From: http://www.dallasnews.com/texas_sout...civil_06t.html

Suit filed on boy's behalf regarding 'zero tolerance'
3rd-grader suspended after drawing an armed soldier
05/06/2001
Associated Press

WEST MONROE, La. - A school principal violated a third-grader's
constitutional rights when he suspended the honor student for taking a
drawing of an armed soldier to class, a lawsuit claims.

The suit was filed Friday on the boy's behalf by the Rutherford Institute, a
civil liberties group in Charlottesville, Va.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and removal of the Lenwil Elementary
School's "zero tolerance" policy against references to guns.

"Suspending him from school was crazy," said John W. Whitehead, the group's
president. "He was just doing what a normal kid does."

The boy, Raleigh Walker III, drew the picture at home and brought it to
school March 22. The picture showed a fort, a soldier with a canteen and a
knife and a list of knives, rifles, pistols and first-aid kits.

Raleigh's father said the picture was a tribute to a relative in the armed
forces.

Principal Edward Davis said at the time that the drawing was "upsetting" and
in violation of the school's zero tolerance policy against drawings with
guns. He gave Raleigh a one-day in-school suspension.

Defendants in the case are Mr. Davis, the Ouachita Parish School Board and
board president Lanny Johnson.
Mr. Davis and Mr. Johnson did not return calls for comment.

Mr. Whitehead said the Rutherford Institute has filed a number of lawsuits
against schools that impose what he believes are unconstitutional
punishments in reaction to recent school shootings.

May 5, 2001, 08:30 PM	#1
WAGCEVP Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,989	From: http://www.dallasnews.com/texas_sout...civil_06t.html Suit filed on boy's behalf regarding 'zero tolerance' 3rd-grader suspended after drawing an armed soldier 05/06/2001 Associated Press WEST MONROE, La. - A school principal violated a third-grader's constitutional rights when he suspended the honor student for taking a drawing of an armed soldier to class, a lawsuit claims. The suit was filed Friday on the boy's behalf by the Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties group in Charlottesville, Va. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and removal of the Lenwil Elementary School's "zero tolerance" policy against references to guns. "Suspending him from school was crazy," said John W. Whitehead, the group's president. "He was just doing what a normal kid does." The boy, Raleigh Walker III, drew the picture at home and brought it to school March 22. The picture showed a fort, a soldier with a canteen and a knife and a list of knives, rifles, pistols and first-aid kits. Raleigh's father said the picture was a tribute to a relative in the armed forces. Principal Edward Davis said at the time that the drawing was "upsetting" and in violation of the school's zero tolerance policy against drawings with guns. He gave Raleigh a one-day in-school suspension. Defendants in the case are Mr. Davis, the Ouachita Parish School Board and board president Lanny Johnson. Mr. Davis and Mr. Johnson did not return calls for comment. Mr. Whitehead said the Rutherford Institute has filed a number of lawsuits against schools that impose what he believes are unconstitutional punishments in reaction to recent school shootings.