I’ve always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer. I really don’t feel that there’s currently liberty and justice for all.Will Phillips
Elementary school student, Age 10

This in response to why he won’t stand and say the pledge of allegiance in his elementary school class. You see, young Will, age 10, is upset that homosexuals in this country are treated as second-class citizens – denied marriage equality and adoption rights.

After asking his parents whether it was against the law not to stand for the pledge, Will decided to do something. On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, he remained sitting down. The class had a substitute teacher that week, a retired educator from the district, who knew Will’s mother and grandmother. Though the substitute tried to make him stand up, he respectfully refused. He did it again the next day, and the next day. Each day, the substitute got a little more cross with him. On Thursday, it finally came to a head. The teacher, Will said, told him that she knew his mother and grandmother, and they would want him to stand and say the pledge.

“She got a lot more angry and raised her voice and brought my mom and my grandma up,” Will said. “I was fuming and was too furious to really pay attention to what she was saying. After a few minutes, I said, ‘With all due respect, ma’am, you can go jump off a bridge.’David Koon
Arkansas Times

This young man is the hope for tomorrow. The fact that he can exist in a country saturated by Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh is something to celebrate. Will Phillips, I salute you! Keep fighting the good fight!

Thanks, Shannon!

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