source: www.sohh.com
A Pennsylvania judge has ordered that a 14-year-old student be readmitted into school after he was expelled recently for writing "threatening" rap lyrics.
Anthony Latour was expelled from The Riverside Beaver County School District in Pittsburgh, PA because officials believed his raps threatened to hurt the school and another student. One of the said songs included the rhymes, "So watch what you say about me, I'm everywhere son / And the word of mouth is that I'm carrying guns / Now that I'm comin' for you /what the (expletive) you gonna do / I come double with the pump/ tons of slugs that will punish you."
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Latour, who was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, claimed his songs were harmless battle raps used as a tool to put down his opponent and were not to be taken literally. U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose overturned his expulsion citing he was protected by the First Amendment and ordered the school district readmit him into 9th grade when classes resume on August 31st.
Latour was expelled in May for rhymes that school officials learned about back in March. After hearing his rhymes, the officials contacted the police who charged Latour with terrorist threats and harassment. To this, Judge Ambrose said the school's argument was not convincing because they never presented evidence that the lyrics disrupted school, and they never followed up after hearing the rhymes by searching Latour's locker or contacting his parents.
Neither Latour's family nor The Riverside Beaver County School District commented on the incident.
A Pennsylvania judge has ordered that a 14-year-old student be readmitted into school after he was expelled recently for writing "threatening" rap lyrics.
Anthony Latour was expelled from The Riverside Beaver County School District in Pittsburgh, PA because officials believed his raps threatened to hurt the school and another student. One of the said songs included the rhymes, "So watch what you say about me, I'm everywhere son / And the word of mouth is that I'm carrying guns / Now that I'm comin' for you /what the (expletive) you gonna do / I come double with the pump/ tons of slugs that will punish you."
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Latour, who was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, claimed his songs were harmless battle raps used as a tool to put down his opponent and were not to be taken literally. U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose overturned his expulsion citing he was protected by the First Amendment and ordered the school district readmit him into 9th grade when classes resume on August 31st.
Latour was expelled in May for rhymes that school officials learned about back in March. After hearing his rhymes, the officials contacted the police who charged Latour with terrorist threats and harassment. To this, Judge Ambrose said the school's argument was not convincing because they never presented evidence that the lyrics disrupted school, and they never followed up after hearing the rhymes by searching Latour's locker or contacting his parents.
Neither Latour's family nor The Riverside Beaver County School District commented on the incident.
