NEW ORLEANS –Victory for John Doe and the First Amendment! The ACLU of Louisiana has reached a written agreement with the Plaquemines Parish School Board that our client, a Rastafari student who attends South Plaquemines High School, will be able to remain in classes. After he returned yesterday, Doe received a written exemption from the school's hair length policy for his religiously-mandated dreadlocks.
Other issues related to his suspension are still under negotiation, including the school's responsibility to help Doe catch up with schoolwork missed during that period.
"The ACLU will continue to seek redress for this student to ensure that his wrongful suspension does not negatively affect his education and future," said Candice Sirmon, ACLU of Louisiana Staff Attorney.