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CNN Live At Daybreak

Federal Appeals Court Says Pledge of Allegiance Can't be Recited in Public Schools

Aired June 27, 2002 - 06:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A federal appeals court in San Francisco, as Paul said, essentially says the Pledge of Allegiance can't be recited in public schools. It is a case of separation of church and state. The man who brought the case says some of the reaction to the ruling has been scary.

We want to go back to that package that we didn't have before from John Baird (ph) of CNN Sacramento affiliate KOVR.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL NEWDOW, PLAINTIFF: I have the right, as a parent, to not have government infuse this religion on her.

JOHN BAIRD (ph), CNN AFFILIATE KOVR REPORTER (voice-over): Michael Newdow said he knew he would win his case. He feels the words "under God" do not belong in the Pledge of Allegiance.

NEWDOW: And there are a lot of people who believe in God who agree with this. There is no need for government to bolster any religious belief.

BAIRD (ph): But there are plenty of people who apparently don't agree with him. The messages were stacking up on his answering machine. Many were calls from the media asking for interviews, but others were from people who just think he is wrong and ought to change his ways.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You need to sit and think about what you're doing. It's completely out of whack.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anti-American, liberal, atheist, what a bunch.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, what in the hell is wrong with you, you dumb, son of a (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I say, you're a dead man walking, man. Somebody is going to kill you, not me, but somebody will. Because you are treading on thin ice, pal. You better change your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) view.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Let us know what you think. E-mail us your reaction to the court ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance, daybreak@cnn.com.

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