The Pledge of Allegiance Must Stand

(Washington, DC) –Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney today issued the following statement regarding yesterday's ruling by the 9th Circuit Court that ruled the pledge of allegiance to be unconstitutional:

"Yesterday's federal court ruling banning the Pledge of Allegiance and declaring it unconstitutional is legally questionable and morally
unacceptable. Taking God out of the Pledge or the Pledge out of American life is like abolishing the flag itself."

"The court's ruling is especially shocking as it comes at a time when our nation is still healing. Reciting the pledge in unison has always served to bring Americans of all races, creeds, and colors together – together as one nation, under God, and indivisible."

"I have no doubt that the Supreme Court, which itself begins each session with the phrase 'God save the United States and this honorable court,' will overturn this absurd ruling. In the meantime, it is my strong hope that
Americans, not only in the nine western states, but all over the country will continue to recite the Pledge exactly as it is and as it has been since 1954."