Two teenagers from Albany, Ore., recently were suspended for wearing crucifixes to school because the school believed they were related to gang activity.
The teens—14-year-old Jamie Salazar and 16-year-old Marco Castro—say they were given the crosses from their respective mothers, but there are extenuating circumstances. In Salazar’s case, the principal initially told the boy to put the crucifix away, but Salazar argued. Then, when he was sent to the office, Salazar decided to go home instead. He later received a note informing him of the five-day suspension.
Albany police say gangs have been using crucifixes and rosaries as gang markers for several years. The school district stands behind the Albany school, saying principals have the latitude to determine whether a religious symbol is being used as a gang symbol. (Associated Press)