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CNN Live Today

Pledge Plaintiff Gets Threatening Phone Calls

Aired June 27, 2002 - 12:02   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The fiery reactions over that decision and those two words is our top story. We begin with the man at the center of the firestorm, Michael Newdow. He is an atheist who sued the United States and the U.S. Congress, the state of California, two local school districts and the people who run them. He claimed his daughter, then in second grade, suffered injury every time she heard her teachers and classmates invoking the name of God.

Newdow is a physician who also happens to have a law degree. He pleaded his own case at trial, and then before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL NEWDOW, PLAINTIFF: I took it up on my behalf as a parent who has a right to allow his child to go to public school without the nation and the government throwing religious dogma down her throat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Newdow says the 9th Circuit is known for its activists, some say radical decisions that are commonly overturned. Still, he believes the Constitution is on his side.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEWDOW: The 9th Circuit is a circuit that I think speaks its mind, and they did in this case. But the law, I think -- and I think if this gets to the Supreme Court, I think I would win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Even on the generally liberal home turf of the 9th Circuit, yesterday's opinion is, to put it mildly, unpopular.

CNN's James Hattori joins us from Elk Grove, California, and that's just outside Sacramento -- hi, there.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. We are awaiting word from the Elk Grove School District in terms of reaction to yesterday's decision, and what they plan to do in terms of an appeal.

Now, they really have basically two choices. They can take the appeal back to the 9th Circuit and ask for a hearing before the full court. Yesterday's decision was handed down by a three-judge panel. Or they can take the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. And of course, we expect to hear from them within about an hour.

Now, there was already some other reaction to yesterday's decision, and we have some footage from the principal's office here at Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary School, where a public announcement -- a public address announcement was made this morning.

You can hear it, the Pledge of Allegiance, recited as usual before classes got under way, including the words "under God," as usual.

Now, the man who filed the lawsuit, Mike Newdow, has his daughter in the Elk Grove School District, but not this school. He contends that this violates the First Amendment, the provision that says Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion. Congress, of course, added the words "under God" in 1954 to the Pledge of Allegiance.

As you can imagine, he has gotten a lot of reaction to the lawsuit decision, including personal threats, some of which were left, crank calls and threats, on his answering machine at home.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, what in the hell is wrong with you, you dumb son of (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 VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: Again, school officials here in Elk Grove expected to have more reaction to the decision yesterday by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. We'll have that for you -- Fredricka, back to you.

WHITFIELD: Well, some pretty inflammatory statements and threats now coming to Newdow, but certainly Newdow is standing behind his decision. Is he saying in any way that he is, you know, in hiding? Or does he have to take any particular precautions because of such threats?

HATTORI: Well, he is fearful for his daughter, who is 8 years old. She, I believe, is no longer in the area, and he is taking those threats very seriously, more so for her than his own personal safety -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks, very much, James Hattori -- appreciate it.

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