Friday, September 3, 2010

NY School Changes Policy on Religious Necklace; Had Ruled Rosary Beads Were "Gang-Related"

A New York school district has voted to amend a discriminatory policy that led to the repeated suspension of a Christian student over his rosary beads, according to the Christian Broadcast Network website.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) filed suit on behalf of Raymond Hosier in an effort to change the dress code at Oneida Middle School, which labeled rosary beads as a prohibited "gang-related" item.

Hosier, a 7th grader, was suspended twice last May for wearing his Catholic rosary beads that include a crucifix.

A hearing for the case was set for September 8, but Schenectady School District officials voted on September 1 to amend the policy to remove the discriminatory language.

"This policy change represents a critical victory for religious freedom as well as our client and all students in the school district," ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow said.

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