Texas AG supports the school district as part of its lawsuit

A Texas school district, sued by a black student who was expelled for refusing to run for the promise of allegiance, received support from the state attorney general on Tuesday.

Ken Paxton supported the independent school district of Cypress-Fairbanks in its fight against the lawsuit. Kizzy Landry sued the district on behalf of her 18-year-old daughter, India, after India was banned from Windfern High School in October 2017 for refusing to run for office.

India Landry said at the time that she was inspired by the NFL players who decided to kneel during the national anthem to protest perceived racial injustices, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"I felt that the flag does not represent what it represents, freedom and justice for all and I do not feel what is happening in the country, so it was my choice to sit in silence," she said. "It was a silent protest."

India said that she had protested against the Pledge about 200 times without incident. Then she engaged in the protest while she was in her principal's office.

"Director Strother, seeing this immediately, kicked India out of school saying," Well, you've been kicked out of here, "claims the lawsuit. A school secretary would then have added: "This is not the NFL."

While parents in Texas could sign a waiver allowing their children to sit for the promise, Kizzy Landry said it was necessary to force schoolchildren to recite the promise of violating their freedom of speech. Paxton argued that "schoolchildren can not unilaterally refuse to participate in the engagement," Dallas Morning News reported.

"Requiring that the promise be made at the beginning of each school day has the commendable result of promoting respect for our flag and a patriotic love for our country," said Paxton in a statement. "This case concerns the declaration of the oath of allegiance while respecting the parental right to direct the education of children."

Landry did not return to school and missed his diploma, reported KHOU.

The case should be judged on April 15th.