The Pledge of Allegiance
Must Stand
June 27, 2002
(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."