After two years of legal proceedings, a settlement has been reached in the case involving Marissa Barnwell, a 15-year-old student at River Bluff High School in Columbia, South Carolina.
The incident began in November 2022, when Barnwell, an honor roll student, chose not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance as it was broadcast over the school’s loudspeaker. Despite state guidelines that allow students the option to abstain and a Supreme Court decision that prohibits compulsory recitations, Barnwell continued walking to class. It was then that teacher Nicole Livingston approached her, demanding that she stop and recite the pledge. Video evidence captured the moment, showing Livingston physically pushing Barnwell against a wall and repeatedly insisting that she recite the pledge.
In a press conference, Barnwell recalled the event, stating, “I was just in disbelief,” and later adding, “You can hear me saying in the video, ‘Get your hands off me!'” The confrontation appeared to be racially charged, as Barnwell believes she was singled out because she is Black, a claim highlighted in her lawsuit. Although other students were present in the hallway, Barnwell was the sole target of the teacher’s actions. Livingston then took Barnwell’s ID and escorted her to the principal’s office. There, Principal Jacob Smith questioned her patriotism, remarking, “Shouldn’t you be proud of your country?” This interaction further compounded Barnwell’s distress.
Barnwell noted that she had not recited the pledge since third grade and felt deeply hurt by the encounter. She remarked, “I was completely and utterly disrespected. No one has apologized, no one has acknowledged my hurt.” Moreover, the incident prompted her to reconsider the meaning behind the pledge’s words, questioning if “liberty and justice for all” truly applied to her experience.
The settlement, disclosed by YouTuber Hemant Mehta (also known as “The Friendly Atheist”), awarded Barnwell $75,000 from Lexington School District 1. According to the terms, she will receive approximately $47,000 upon turning 18, with about $28,000 allocated to cover her legal fees. Neither party has offered further comment on the agreement, leaving many questions about accountability and the future treatment of similar cases unresolved.
Link: Atlanta Black Star
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