Censored portion of Reimer's speech (posted on Facebook by his sister):
“We are all fortunate to live in a country where we can express our beliefs. Where our mikes won’t be turned off, as I have been threatened to be if I veer away from the school-censored speech I have just finished. Just as Jesus spoke out against the authority of the Pharisees and Saducees, Who tried to silence Him, I will not have my freedom of speech taken away from me. And I urge you all to do the same. Do not let anyone take away your religious or Constitutional rights away from you. This will be the first and last time many of you will hear me speak. I wish you all the best and let’s get this race going!”For background, read Lord's Prayer at South Carolina Graduation, Atheists Fume and also read Prayer at Kentucky Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands but elsewhere Atheists Threaten Arkansas School, so Graduation is Cancelled
UPDATE 6/20/13: Principal threatens to ruin Reimer's Navy appointment, but later apologies
-- From "JHS valedictorian's speech was silenced" by Jim Gibbs, Joshua Star 6/7/13
. . . Reimer discussed his faith and thanked God for "sending His only son to die for me and the rest of the world."
Reimer, who has secured an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, talked about free speech and the U.S. Constitution and how that "yesterday, I was threatened with having the mic turned off and..."
And then the mic was turned off.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Joshua valedictorian talks about Jesus, has mic turned off" by Jessamy Brown, Fort Worth Star Telegram 6/8/13
Reimer finished his speech without the microphone . . . but graduates sitting near the stage could still hear him. Those teens led the audience in a standing ovation of Reimer, [said Serena Bair of Cleburne, a parent in the audience].
Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for the Liberty Institute in Plano, said the district’s actions violated its own policy, the First Amendment and state law.
In 2007, Texas legislators passed the Religious Viewpoints Anti-discrimination Act, known as the RVAA, which requires districts to adopt a policy to create a limited public forum for student speakers at school events.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Joshua valedictorian cut off during speech" by Amber Washington, Cleburne Times-Review 6/7/13
Area residents are concerned that Joshua ISD valedictorian Remington Reimer was cut off during his speech at Thursday night’s graduation because he mentioned God.
Superintendent Fran Marek said that is not the case.
Marek said the top three graduates must turn in speeches and have them approved by administration before graduation. Marek said the speeches were approved beforehand, but Reimer was cut off after he completed the approved version of his speech because he deviated from the topic.
Marek said the microphone was cut off during Reimer’s speech because the administration was not sure what he was going to say.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
