Raleigh, N.C. — A group of Enloe High School students are planning a silent protest Friday in support of a suspended teacher who taught social studies.
But some say teacher Robert Escamilla's lucky to still have a job.
Virginia Dresser and some of her Enloe classmates are on a personal crusade to support their former teacher.
Escamilla was suspended with pay after he invited the leader of a Christian organization to a class who handed out pamphlets - critical of Islam. He has since been transferred from Enloe to an alternative high school because of the February incident.
Dresser calls Escamilla a respected teacher. She and her friends want him back at Enloe.
“He understands that we can decide what’s right and wrong for ourselves,” Dresser said. “We can understand bias. We can recognize bias. He knows we’re intelligent enough to make our own decisions.”
Tariq Butt is the parent of an Enloe student who brought attention to the controversial speaker. Butt identifies with the Muslim Faith. After watching a recent interview with Escamilla on WRAL, Butt said it appeared Escamilla missed the point about the pain his actions caused.
“The issue isn’t about talking about religion at school but trashing another religion and promoting another religion,” But said. “The fact that he did not understand made me feel like he’s lucky he’s still teaching and he hasn’t been fired.”
Wake County Schools officials said Escamilla crossed the line and that the speaker was "unacceptable.”
Escamilla contends he doesn't try to force his Christian beliefs on his students. He thinks school leaders want to put a muzzle on free speech. Escamilla's attorney said they are considering legal action.



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That was climate change and desertification.
June 2, 2007 3:56 p.m.
FEDERAL LAW: Outsiders may not be given access to the classroom to distribute religious or anti-religious literature.
FEDERAL LAW: Students may express their religious beliefs in the form of reports, homework and artwork, and such expressions are constitutionally protected. Teachers may not reject or correct such submissions simply because they include a religious symbol or address religious themes.
FEDERAL LAW: Students have the right to distribute religious literature to their schoolmates, subject to those reasonable time, place, and manner or other constitutionally- acceptable restrictions imposed.
June 2, 2007 9:13 a.m.
How things are, once again, is this: You can't do it, and if you try, we'll sue you every time you do until you realize that it isn't going to be tolerated.
June 2, 2007 8:42 a.m.
Read the 164 Jihad verses in the Koran: http://www.angelfire.com/moon/yoelnatan/koranwarpassages.htm
June 2, 2007 1:12 a.m.
In v. 2, God indicated who He was speaking to when He said "who brought your out of Egypt." The text reinforces that in v. 12 stating, "so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." That "land" is modern day Israel, a land set aside for Jewish people, no one else -- IF the Jews will keep God's commandments. If not, the implication is that they lose it.
But don't forget the predicate for this whole event. 19:3-6. Too long to repeat hear, but makes it absolutely clear that these laws are for the Jews.
June 1, 2007 9:39 p.m.