Federal Lawsuit Filed Against South Texas School District for Mexican Pledge

A federal lawsuit has been filed against a South Texas school that punished a teenager for refusing to recite the Mexican pledge.

Brenda Brinsdon was a McAllen school district sophomore in 2011. Her teacher had instructed the class to stand and recite the pledge and national anthem of Mexico.

The girl’s teacher is accused of trying to “coerce” her when she refused to participate in the activity that was described as a “cultural-awareness assignment” by the school district spokesman.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court claiming the girl’s constitutional rights were violated.