15 YR Old Suspended for Anti-War T-Shirt

www.infoshop.org ^ | Dec 10.01 | www.infoshop.org

[truth4all]

Katie Sierra was suspended for wearing anti-war T-shirts in high school and trying to organize an anarchist club to protest the war. We are "free" to express any and all opinions as long as they support the government's agenda. Parts of a local newspaper article are below followed by an interview with Katie by www.infoshop.org. Gavin

Student can't wear anti-war clothing to Sissonville High
By Eric Eyre
Click Here

"Students at Sissonville High School no longer feel safe," said school system attorney Jim Withrow. "Without question, it has disrupted the educational process."

(Gavin. Contrary opinions are a threat to other pupils.)

Sierra's attorney blamed Mann for the turmoil at Sissonville, saying he overreacted and "took those bellows and flamed the fires."

"He wanted her shirts out of there," Forman said. "He wants her opinions out of there. If truth be known, he probably wants her out of there."
End article quote.

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller

Please visit my nonprofit website.
Exposing the Cancer Indu$try.
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Thank you. Gavin.

KATIE SIERRA
www.infoshop.org Click Here

Katie Sierra is a 15-year-old anarchist who lives in Sissonville, West Virginia. She recently made international news after her high school suspended her for wearing a t-shirt critical of the war in Afghanistan, as well as for her efforts in organizing a student anarchy club at the school. Her legal protest of the school's decision was turned down by the courts. There is an international effort to support her and her fight against the school.

Infoshop.org: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Katie Sierra: Let's see..my name is Katie. I am a former student from Sissonville High School. I'm a 15-year-old 10th grader. In my spare time I go to shows, read, and write poetry.

Infoshop: Why did you get suspended from your high school?

KS: I was suspended for wearing a t-shirt that spoke of political views. Also, for having possession of the flyers in my purse.

Infoshop: What did your T-shirt say?

KS: Well, there's more than one. The one I got suspended for said "Racism, Sexism, Homophobia..I'm so proud of the people in the land of the so called "Free". Then the next week after my principal allowed me to wear them again...and then made me take it off again said "When I saw the dead and dying Afghani children on TV, I felt a newly recovered sense of national security. God Bless America."

Infoshop: What happened in court?

KS: Besides staring at Mr. Mann's strange comb-over and missing thumb lol. I didn't win. I don't really know why. At least everything I said was factual, but everything Mann said was opinion or hearsay.

Infoshop: Are you appealing the judge's decision?

KS: Yes, we'll be going to court uhhh...Jan. 25. State Supreme turned it down...but I'm not giving up!

How do you feel about the authorities telling you that you have no rights?

KS: It makes me feel like total crap. I mean I think it's crazy. Everyone else in that school can say how they feel towards certain things, unless you have something no one agrees with. I just don't think that is fair. If I could go back to school for a day. I think I'd probably. wear duck tape over my mouth with "I have no rights" printed on the front. lol I think that might be quite humorous.

Why did you decide to start an anarchy club? Are other students interested in joining it?

KS: I think we were pretty much a group already. I mean I know we were a group. At the time we didn't have a name. And there isn't anything for us to join at SHS. So I was thinking since we are all interesting in Anarchy and whatnot things it would be a good idea. I read about it on Infoshop...that's how the idea popped into my head. Yeah, there was about 15-20 people who wanted to join.

If your club existed, what kind of projects would the club be working on?

KS: It was mostly for us to learn and discuss things. We had somewhat started a zine--it isn't really finished. We were going to work in some soup kitchens on the weekend. Just a lot of different things. Have people come speak. Possibly a Food not Bombs group.

Tell us about the zine you were working on?

KS: It was going to be called the Anny. There was four of us working on it. We were only going to print no more than 30 copies of it. Honestly, we didn't want anyone besides people in our uhh "freak/punk" to know about it. It was going to be about things that happen in our school, city, state, country, world...blah blah blah and how we felt. The 1st copy was never finished so I'm sure there would have been more.

When and how did you first become interested in radical politics?

KS: I don't really know. I mean I think I've always been pretty interested. It might have been my friends. Most of them are older than me and I guess I just learned a lot from them.

What's your opinion on the current war?

KS: As like any war I think it's wrong. I don't believe in fighting and last time I checked war is included. I don't know or have an answer for the war, but I do know that killing people is not right. I think our country is just to lazy to think of another solution.

What kinds of things are your classmates saying about the war?

KS: See they don't even know what their talking about most of the time. Most of the things they say are just cruel about how they want to kill out the whole country. And how they are supporters of bombing. How they should stop sending food packets out there.

Now that your mother has pulled you out of school, what kind of things are you studying at home? KS: History, English, Career, and Science. It's quite funny to now know and realize how much bull crap they're feeding you in schools lol.

What lessons have you learned from this, that you'd like to share with teenagers in similar situations?

KS: I've learned that this country is crap...actually I already knew that. I've learned that school systems are crap. Wait! I knew that too. I guess I've learned that this country and school systems are more crappy than ever and they suck. I guess I've also learned not to give up. And to stand up for what you believe in no matter what it is. It's okay to think differently, its normal. Don't let anyone run over you because of your beliefs.

[Grut]

L'il Katie's still at the "seen and not heard" age.

I have trouble believing that you've never met a teenager, but if you want to pretend so, feel free. The girl is FIFTEEN! OF COURSE she's obnoxious, opinionated, illogical, shallow and loud... and absolutely no danger to the Republic.

We learn by making asses of ourselves, and we learn a lot in high school.

[Cogadh na Sith]

In fact, most anarchists believe in quite organized -- but not regimented societies, with no rulers. and most importantly, with relations between people based on just that -- that they are people, rather than on how much power they have, be it public (ie, they're a cop, DA, president etc..) or private (your boss, the only employer/store in town, a major campaign contributor etc..).

Cool. No 'regimentation'. No heirarchy. Law of the jungle....

I'll take all your stuff and be in charge in a week.

I've always wanted to be a 'strong-man'. I'll rule with an iron fist. It'll rock.

[gfactor]

maybe the club is, by definition, a group of people who agree on the concept of anarchy, or who work on anarchist causes? maybe anyone can "join", but, since its an anarchist club, that doesn't mean anything at all. Maybe they get together and talk about anarchism, so someone who doesn't agree with that would be welcome, as a method of honing their rhetorical devices. Maybe they get together and carry out anti-authoritarian/anti-capitalist demonstrations, i doubt a non-anarchist would go along with that. Maybe its organized in a non-hierarchical/non-authoritarian fashion, so those who are used to excercising superiority and giving/following orders naturally wouldn't fit in. you get the point, and its mostly that it seems like you don't get it on purpose.

[gfactor]

Cool. No 'regimentation'. No heirarchy. Law of the jungle.... I'll take all your stuff and be in charge in a week. I've always wanted to be a 'strong-man'. I'll rule with an iron fist.

But if you rule with an iron fist, then it sounds like there will indeed be hierarchy, so it seems like you and the anarchists are talking about different things. whereas these kids are furthering the enlightenment project of liberation, you want tyranny -- if anything . what is this, opposites day?

[Salvation]

Take away their FED dollars if they let the student continue to spout Anti-American sentiment. That should get their attention.

PS. Just a question from someone who really wants to know.......does the student now have a criminal or FBI record? Inquiring minds need information.

[codeword]

This thread is unusually civilized. Why hasn't anyone called her a traitor and recommended taking her out and shooting her? Where are all the usual ill tempered, pre-moral, undereducated guys with prostate trouble? Why haven't we heard from them?

[Nathan Lande]

“How do you feel about the authorities telling you that you have no rights?”

Well from this statement alone it is obvious that the reporter is not trying to be anything in the way of objective.

”Schools that won't allow Pledge and prayer should not allow this AntiAmerican tshirt!!” ~maeng

I do not see how this follows. Peoples gripes about the Pledge and Prayer are that they are enforced by the school on people who might not necessarily agree with them. According to the current laws it is perfectly reasonable to pray or pledge, just not to enforce it on other people. The school was not enforcing anarchy on its students.

While in my opinion anarchism seams to be one of the more hypocritical view points, it is just that. What is some one was suspended for praying in public… ohh wait that has happened. I think we can all agree that suspending some one for praying is wrong.

So just because someone puts forward a position which we do not agree with, or is even stupid, why does that rise to the level of warranting a suspension?

[Saundra Duffy]

Her parents are no doubt proud of the monster they created.

[Cogadh na Sith]

whereas these kids are furthering the enlightenment project of liberation,

Bwahahaha 'furthering the enlightenment project of liberation'.... Precious.

you want tyranny -- if anything.

No, I just want your lunch money. I don't want tyranny--want to be a tyrant!

Do you see where anarchy leads?

Gimme your lunch money or die geek-boy!

[texlok]

By all means, Katie, get the hell out if you don't like it! And see how you get treated anywhere else.

Why shoudl she leave? None of us left with Klinton was in office and we didn't like it one bit.

We are allowed to have our own opinions and thoughts (or has Ashcroft started an Office of Morality and Thoughts).

I don't agree with her or others that think like her and don't understand the difference between say Vietnam and 911, but I respect their right to have stupid opinions and to speak out if they chose to do so. If we had a nation full of sheep that followed only one party line or the other, well, I wouldn't want to live there, that's for sure.

[Registered]

All these anti-war kids need to be sent to Ground Zero to assist in the DNA retrieval.

[Kryptonite]

I've learned that this country is crap...actually I already knew that.

No Katie, you are crap and now, everybody knows it.

[nothingnew]

The late Frank Z. would have defended her right to freedom of expression.

Very true...but he still would've called it "a true Zen saying"...nonetheless...she speaks like an idiot, but that's not her fault...pubic edukaysun and all...FReegards,

FMCDH

[patriot31u]

I've learned that this country is crap...actually I already knew that. I've learned that school systems are crap. Wait! I knew that too. I guess I've learned that this country and school systems are more crappy than ever and they suck.

WOW!! She must make her mother very proud! She speaks with such intellegence that it almost brings a tear to my eye!

[Baseballguy]

Most teens dont know anything anyway.

They should allow her to go to class its the teachers that are stupid.

When does freedom of speech start and end?

[stanz]

You have respect for her? Well, I don't.

[brewcrew]

Doesn't the very concept of a "club" imply the exact opposite of anarchy?

I love unintended oxymorons, and you've found one! Good job!

It's like one of the quotes I have on my bulletin board: "Remember that you're unique, just like everyone else."

[mc5cents]

Yes, but an anarchist club is a contradiction of terms - clubs have rules, by-laws, officers, scheduled meetings. Do you see the irony, at least. It kind of like having a "United Separatists Club" or something equally daffy.

LOL. Don't you just love it. Ah to be 15 and REALLY stupid again. Those were the days.

My favorite always was the sign that said:

Procrastanators Club Meeting has been postponed.

Anarchists for Law & Order!!

[ThinkDifferent]

I agree. Censoring her foolish opinions is only going to reinforce them for her. Her views are based on ignorance, and need to be refuted with facts and logic rather than suppressed.

[Cogadh na Sith]

This thread is unusually civilized. Why hasn't anyone called her a traitor and recommended taking her out and shooting her? Where are all the usual ill tempered, pre-moral, undereducated guys with prostate trouble?

She's just some dopey girl raised by her dopey mom. We can't really expect much more from her...

Actually, my prostate is fine. I'm not so sure about yours, though. You'd better let me check...