Student Loses Battle Over Long Locks
Despite Religious Beliefs, Ben Jamin Daly Must Cut His Hair
POSTED: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
UPDATED: 8:45 am CDT October 16,
2007
LEAKEY, Texas -- The Leakey School Board on Monday night voted unanimously against allowing a high school senior to keep his long hair.
Ben Jamin Daly, 18, says he is growing his long locks because his religion,
Rastafarianism, prohibits him from cutting it.
But apparently board members don't agree with Daly, who called the decision an injustice.
"I thought right is right, but obviously, I'm wrong," he said.
Daly was represented at the meeting by Fleming Terrell, an attorney for the San Antonio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
"We really didn't know what to expect," Terrell said. "We didn't know where the board stood. I tried to give them a good idea where the law was, where the policy was."
Terrell said she will review Daly's options and see what steps, if any, to take next.
But Daly and his father vowed to keep fighting.
"He was born here, raised here," said John Daly, the student's father. "He wants to graduate and enjoy his senior year. I mean, that's a big deal. It's not over."
In the meantime, Daly will continue to be taught in isolation and will not be allowed to participate in school activities.
It was not known when Daly would have to cut his hair.
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