The group Political Action for Peace wants to ban Pledge of Allegiance across country

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – It’s a revered American tradition but one political group out of Boston says the Pledge of Allegiance is similar to oaths said during Nazi Germany.

They want it banned from all school districts across the country. But not all parents agree with the proposed action. “If we want our country to crash, this is a great way to do it,” says mom Cassa Fox. “I wouldn’t allow my son to opt out of it in any way,” says mother Nicole Adamson.

Here in District 51, spokesperson Christy McGee says reciting the Pledge of Allegiance gives students an opportunity to re-enforce American principles like a democratic heritage and freedom. “We would like all students in all classrooms to have the opportunity to say the pledge once a day,” says McGee. Though, any student can opt out.

 The group Political Action for Peace wants it banned all together. Group co-founder Marty Rosenthal says opting out isn’t enough protection for a child who might be bullied as a result.

He says the Pledge of Allegiance is reminiscent of “some horrific totalitarian regimes”.

Something District 51 parent Amber Slaughter says isn’t true.

“(The Pledge of Allegiance) It’s about patriotism and pride in our country and taking that away will do our children a severe injustice,” says Slaughter.

Other parents agree.

“I would want my child to stand and say what he believes in,” says Fox.

“If you don’t agree with it, remove yourself from the situation. It’s not who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s simply respect,” says Adamson.

Folks who would like to see the pledge be done with say concepts like liberties and religion are too hot-button to be in a public setting, especially schools where they say, the pledge has no educational value.

“The pledge of allegiance was divinely inspired and it does a whole lot more besides just mention God,” explains Slaughter.

Rosenthal calls the pledge a loyalty oath similar to oaths said during Nazi Germany and McCarthyism. He says kids who have opted out from saying the pledge have been bullied in his district by other students and maimed anti-American.more

thank you Mike