Student Arrested for Writing Essay 890
mcgrew writes "The Chicago Tribune reports that an eighteen year old straight-A High School student was arrested for writing an essay that 'disturbed' his teacher. Even though no threats were made to a specific person, 18 year-old Allen Lee's English teacher convened a panel to discuss the work. As a result of that discussion, the police were called in. 'The youth's father said his son was not suspended or expelled but was forced to attend classes elsewhere for now. Today, Cary-Grove students rallied behind the arrested teen by organizing a petition drive to let him back in their school. They posted on walls quotes from the English teacher in which she had encouraged students to express their emotions through writing.'"
Text of Article (Score:0, Informative)
"I understand what happened recently at Virginia Tech," said the teen's father, Albert Lee, referring to last week's massacre of 32 students by gunman Seung-Hui Cho. "I understand the situation."
But he added: "I don't see how somebody can get charged by writing in their homework. The teacher asked them to express themselves, and he followed instructions."
Allen Lee, an 18-year-old straight-A student at Cary-Grove High School, was arrested Tuesday near his home and charged with disorderly conduct for an essay police described as violently disturbing but not directed toward any specific person or location.
The youth's father said his son was not suspended or expelled but was forced to attend classes elsewhere for now.
Today, Cary-Grove students rallied behind the arrested teen by organizing a petition drive to let him back in their school. They posted on walls quotes from the English teacher in which she had encouraged students to express their emotions through writing.
"I'm not going to lie. I signed the petition," said senior James Gitzinger. "But I can understand where the administration is coming from. I think I would react the same way if I was a teacher."
Cary Police Chief Ron Delelio said the charge was appropriate even though the essay was not published or posted for public viewing.
Disorderly conduct, which carries a penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine, is filed for pranks such as pulling a fire alarm or dialing 911. But it can also apply when someone's writings can disturb an individual, Delelio said.
"The teacher was alarmed and disturbed by the content," he said.
But a civil rights advocate said the teacher's reaction to an essay shouldn't make it a crime.
"One of the elements is that some sort of disorder or disruption is created," said Ed Yohnka, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. "When something is done in private--when a paper is handed in to a teacher--there isn't a disruption."
The "key outcomes" this month for the Creative English class was for students to identify and utilize poetic conventions to communicate ideas and emotions. With that in mind, teachers reminded students that if they read something that posed a threat to self or others, the school could take action, said High School District 155 Supt. Jill Hawk.
The English teacher read the essay and reported it to a supervisor and the principal. A round-table discussion with district officials conveyed, with lively debate, and they decided to report it to the police.
"Our staff is very familiar with adolescent behavior. We're very well versed with types of creativity put into writing. We know the standards of adolescent behavior that are acceptable and that there is a range," Hawk said.
"There can certainly be writing that conveys concern for us even though it does not name names location or date," he said.
The charge against Lee comes as schools across the country wrestle with how to react in the wake of the shootings at the Virginia Tech campus at Blacksburg, Va.
Bomb threats at high schools in Schaumburg and Country Club Hills have caused evacuations, and extra police were on duty at a Palos Hills high school this week because of a threatening note found in the bathroom of a McDonald's restaurant a half-mile away.
Experts say the charge against Lee is troubling because it was over an essay that even police say contained no direct threats against anyone at the school. However, Virginia Tech's actions toward Cho came under heavy scrutiny after the killings because of the "disturbing" plays and essays teachers say he had written for classes.
Simmie Baer, an attorney with the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern Univer
Article text (Score:0, Informative)
By Jeff Long and Carolyn Starks
Tribune staff reporters
April 26, 2007
High school senior Allen Lee sat down with his creative writing class on Monday and penned an essay that so disturbed his teacher, school administrators and police that he was charged with disorderly conduct.
"I understand what happened recently at Virginia Tech," said the teen's father, Albert Lee, referring to last week's massacre of 32 students by gunman Seung-Hui Cho. "I understand the situation."
But he added: "I don't see how somebody can get charged by writing in their homework. The teacher asked them to express themselves, and he followed instructions."
Allen Lee, an 18-year-old straight-A student at Cary-Grove High School, was arrested Tuesday near his home and charged with disorderly conduct for an essay police described as violently disturbing but not directed toward any specific person or location.
The youth's father said his son was not suspended or expelled but was forced to attend classes elsewhere for now.
Today, Cary-Grove students rallied behind the arrested teen by organizing a petition drive to let him back in their school. They posted on walls quotes from the English teacher in which she had encouraged students to express their emotions through writing.
"I'm not going to lie. I signed the petition," said senior James Gitzinger. "But I can understand where the administration is coming from. I think I would react the same way if I was a teacher."
Cary Police Chief Ron Delelio said the charge was appropriate even though the essay was not published or posted for public viewing.
Disorderly conduct, which carries a penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine, is filed for pranks such as pulling a fire alarm or dialing 911. But it can also apply when someone's writings can disturb an individual, Delelio said.
"The teacher was alarmed and disturbed by the content," he said.
But a civil rights advocate said the teacher's reaction to an essay shouldn't make it a crime.
"One of the elements is that some sort of disorder or disruption is created," said Ed Yohnka, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. "When something is done in private--when a paper is handed in to a teacher--there isn't a disruption."
The "key outcomes" this month for the Creative English class was for students to identify and utilize poetic conventions to communicate ideas and emotions. With that in mind, teachers reminded students that if they read something that posed a threat to self or others, the school could take action, said High School District 155 Supt. Jill Hawk.
The English teacher read the essay and reported it to a supervisor and the principal. A round-table discussion with district officials conveyed, with lively debate, and they decided to report it to the police.
"Our staff is very familiar with adolescent behavior. We're very well versed with types of creativity put into writing. We know the standards of adolescent behavior that are acceptable and that there is a range," Hawk said.
"There can certainly be writing that conveys concern for us even though it does not name names location or date," he said.
The charge against Lee comes as schools across the country wrestle with how to react in the wake of the shootings at the Virginia Tech campus at Blacksburg, Va.
Bomb threats at high schools in Schaumburg and Country Club Hills have caused evacuations, and extra police were on duty at a Palos Hills high school this week because of a threatening note found in the bathroom of a McDonald's restaurant a half-mile away.
Experts say the charge against Lee is troubling because it was over an essay that even police say contained no direct threats against anyone at the school. However, Virginia Tech's actions toward Cho came under heavy scrutiny after the killings because of the "disturbing" plays and essays teachers say he had written for classes.
Re:The Essay? (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=306398 [dailyherald.com]
Re:What is "disorderly conduct"? (Score:3, Informative)
Disorderly conduct is an old standby charge which cops use when they want to arrest someone who hasn't committed any identifiable crimes. The definitions vary from region to region, but they're generally loose enough that pretty much any behavior that the public disapproves of can be shoehorned into its definition.
For example, a friend of mine was recently arrested (and assaulted by cops) for "disorderly conduct". His crime was stomping on an American flag (his own) to illustrate his absolute right to free expression. In his case, and this student's as well, the charges will probably be ultimately dropped, but not before a stressful and embarrassing ordeal in the American justice system.
Better article (Score:5, Informative)
But Lee said Thursday night that the excerpts were taken out of context in an assignment that explicitly instructed students not to judge or censor their writing.
Lee said a friend planned to distribute the complete essay and assignment to Cary-Grove students today to provide context to a story that has gained national attention.
"It's not the full [essay], or with the assignment," Lee said of a criminal complaint in which prosecutors charged him with disorderly conduct Thursday. "People are already judging this without seeing the assignment.
Louis Bianchi, McHenry County state's attorney, said Thursday he would prosecute Lee on the misdemeanor charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.
"I think the teacher did the appropriate thing," Bianchi said. "Now, it's going to be brought to the attention of the courts."
Cary Police arrested Lee, 18, near his home Tuesday morning on disorderly conduct charges after Cary-Grove Principal Susan Popp called police.
Lee, who plans to enter boot camp for the Marines in October, said teacher Nora Capron told the class to write about whatever they wanted.
A copy of the assignment obtained Thursday night included the following guidelines for a "free writing" exercise:
"Write nonstop for a set period of time."
"Do not make corrections as you write."
"Keep writing, even if you have to write something like, 'I don't know what to write.' "
"Write whatever comes into your mind."
"Do not judge or censor what you are writing."
The assignment included additional guidelines such as, "If your free writing is neat and coherent, you probably haven't loosened up enough."
The Lee family met with representatives of High School District 155 Thursday to discuss potential disciplinary measures, said Dane Loizzo, whose law firm is representing Lee.
"We're attempting to get Allen back into the school with his friends and peers as quickly and judiciously as possible," said Loizzo, of the Woodstock-based Law Offices of Loizzo and Loizzo.
Messages left with district Superintendent Jill Hawk and district spokesman Jeff Puma were not immediately returned Thursday night.
Criminal Charges
School officials allege that in an essay for his ninth-period English class on Monday, Lee wrote about a dream where he went into a building, started shooting people with guns, had sex with the dead bodies. He then retracted it saying, "but it would be funny if I did."
A person can be charged with disorderly conduct if their actions are alarming or disturbing to others.
The district responded to another threat made last week at Crystal Lake Central High School. About half the students at Central stayed home Friday and police presence at the school was increased after threatening graffiti was found on a bathroom wall. The graffiti was determined to be a prank, officials have said.
Capron read Lee's essay Monday night and called her department chair, who then spoke with Cary-Grove Principal Susan Popp.
Popp called police and signed the disorderly conduct complaint shortly afterward, prosecutors said, and Lee was arrested Tuesday morning.
Attorney Thomas Loizzo said the student complied with the assignment.
"How is the student supposed to know where the line is between creativity and censorship?" he said. "The assignment didn't specify that if you wrote something that the teacher thought would be offensive, that you could then be prosecuted criminally."
Attorney Dane Loizzo agreed.
Not Unprecedented (Score:3, Informative)
Updated 5:07 PM ET December 23, 2000
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) - A teen-age boy has been arrested and
accused of distributing a manuscript that included passages about
killing faculty and students.
The 17-year-old student at Roxbury High School was charged with
false public alarm. His name was not disclosed.
His parents have said the boy, arrested at his home early Friday,
uses his writing to express his troubles at school.
"He's not a violent person," his mother said Friday during a court
hearing. "His outlet is his writing."
Police said they learned that at least two students had copies of
the manuscript, but would not say how they became aware of it. The
boy's mother said some of the material had been shown to his
guidance counselor.
The writings begin: "I'm a product of today's violence."
Superior Court Judge Salem Ahto said the boy should remain in
juvenile detention pending a psychological evaluation.
%%%
Secret Service accused of threatening free speech
By Associated Press, 2/16/2001 20:48
NEW YORK (AP) The Secret Service has been accused of trampling on the free
speech rights of a college student who wrote a satirical editorial asking
Jesus to ''smite'' President Bush.
The letter was published last week in the Stony Brook Press at the State
University of New York campus in Stony Brook. It was written by Glenn
Given, 22 the paper's managing editor.
Titled ''Editorial: Dear Jesus Christ, King of all Kings, All I ask is
that you smite George W. Bush.'' It also asked Jesus to strike down Bush,
his cabinet and MTV personality Carson Daly.
A faculty member apparently contacted authorities.
Given said two Secret Service agents and a campus police officer showed up
Wednesday to interrogate him.
They had him sign waivers authorizing them to check his medical records,
threatened to charge him with a crime and searched his apartment,
according to a letter of protest sent to the Secret Service by the
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
''The editorial was clearly a form of satire and political hyperbole'' in
response to Bush's well-publicized devotion to Christianity, the letter
said. ''We believe it is inappropriate to harass a journalist, editor,
writer or citizen for exercising his or her right to free speech.''
Re:The Monday-Morning QBs need to get consistent.. (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Nice reporting Chicago Tribune (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/360827,CST-NWS
Re:Racist Reaction? (Score:4, Informative)
Looks more like Bruce than Stan, though I don't know if that's a contributing factor or not.
I go to a large Big Ten university, and we just had a student held and suspended for wearing a ski-mask on a cold, rainy day. He didn't take it off inside his lecture and some asshat called the cops on him.
What a world. . .
Re:The Essay? (Score:3, Informative)
But the student's attorney, Dane Loizzo, said Lee was well within the confines of the assignment. Loizzo said the instructions included writing for a set period of time and to not censor anything.
"This was a free writing," Loizzo said. "It is very important to understand that the assignment was to write without parameters. A stream of consciousness seems to be the goal of the assignment."
...
"The assignment said on the top not to judge or censor what we write," said Lee, who forwarded further questions on to his attorney.
It's called creative writing, the teacher overreacted. Just because this kid is Asian his teacher treats this totally different. This kid is dealing with what happened in a unique way, and maybe writing about it in such a light will help him. Stop being such a tight ass, why do we think just because someone writes some crazy shit that they're going to do it. Writing about his feelings probably helped him lift some weight off his shoulders, but his teacher interpreted things differently. "Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, s...t...a...b..., puke." and "...Well, not really, but it would be funny if I did." Those statements could easily be interpreted badly, but they could also indicate that he wasn't at all being serious.
The essay, in its entirety (Score:5, Informative)
Blood sex and Booze. Drugs Drugs Drugs are fun. Stab, Stab, Stab, S...t...a...b..., poke. "So I had this dream last night where I went into a building, pulled out two P90s and started shooting everyone..., then had sex with the dead bodies. Well, not really, but it would be funny if I did." Umm, yeah, what to wright about...... I'm leaving to join the Marines and I really don't give a (obscenity) about my academics, so why does the only class that's complete Bull Shit, happen to be the only required class...enough said. The model citizen would stay around to vote in new board member to change the 4 years of English policy, but no one really stays around to vote for that kind of local crap, so whoever gets there name on the Ballet with a pretty face gets to do what the (obscenity) ever they want with local ordinance. A person is smart, but people are dumb selfish animals. We can't make rules for ourselves so we vote others to do it for us, but we can't even do that right, I meen seriously, Bush for President? And our other option was John Kerry who claimed to parktake in Vietnam Special Forces missions that haven't been declassified....(obscenity) Bull Shit. So Power Flower Super Mario. Pudge, hook, rot, dismember "Fresh Meat." Mostly new/young teachers are laid back, and cooperative with students as feedback and input into the curriculum and atmosphere. My current English teacher is a control freak intent on setting a gap between herself and her students like a 63 year old white male fortune 500 company CEO, and a illegal immigrant. If CG was a private catholic school, I could understand, but wtf is her problem. And baking brownies and rice crispies does not make up for it, way to try and justify yourself as a good teacher while underhandedly looking for complements on your cooking. No quarrel on you qualifications as a writer, but as a teacher, don't be surprised on inspiring the first cg shooting.
Authors Note: This production of writing is done in the most accurate manner I can depict of the original writing. Grammar and spelling mistakes are included at the best accuracy possible. The first phrase in questions is in fact a Green Day song. The second reference to drugs is in relation to the schools history of drug problems. I am personally clean of all controlled substances. The statement in quotes is done so as a non personal statement as I would have done in reference to a character for a story. The reference to the gun P90 is from a video game, combined with a reference to necrophilia as a comment regarding a seriously messed up situation. A situation such as the rape of villagers during a raid by U.S. troops in Vietnam. I really do not care too much about by continuing academia as in relation to grades. I do however believe on continuing my personal education, and I am actually still working for my classes. My views on the graduation requirements explain themselves. The reference to Mario and Pudge( a DOTA character) are completely random as is this essay. The reference to a person being smart and people being dumb is based on a quote from "Men in Black." I generally do believe the public opinion is best. The rest of the essay is rather self explanatory, the main statement in question I have already released a comment online about. I request that all information I have released is read together, and nothing given separately or as an excerpt as the administration has seen fit to do.
On an additional note, I have completed the MEPS (Military Entry Processing Station) examinations, and yes a psychiatric evaluation is included in the process. If I'm qualified to defend the country, I believe I'm qualified to attend school.
Full text of essay now posted (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0704
Blood sex and Booze. Drugs Drugs Drugs are fun. Stab, Stab, Stab, S...t...a...b..., poke. "So I had this dream last night where I went into a building, pulled out two P90s and started shooting everyone..., then had sex with the dead bodies. Well, not really, but it would be funny if I did." Umm, yeah, what to wright about...... I'm leaving to join the Marines and I really don't give a (obscenity) about my academics, so why does the only class that's complete Bull Shit, happen to be the only required class...enough said. The model citizen would stay around to vote in new board member to change the 4 years of English policy, but no one really stays around to vote for that kind of local crap, so whoever gets there name on the Ballet with a pretty face gets to do what the (obscenity) ever they want with local ordinance. A person is smart, but people are dumb selfish animals. We can't make rules for ourselves so we vote others to do it for us, but we can't even do that right, I meen seriously, Bush for President? And our other option was John Kerry who claimed to parktake in Vietnam Special Forces missions that haven't been declassified....(obscenity) Bull Shit. So Power Flower Super Mario. Pudge, hook, rot, dismember "Fresh Meat." Mostly new/young teachers are laid back, and cooperative with students as feedback and input into the curriculum and atmosphere. My current English teacher is a control freak intent on setting a gap between herself and her students like a 63 year old white male fortune 500 company CEO, and a illegal immigrant. If CG was a private catholic school, I could understand, but wtf is her problem. And baking brownies and rice crispies does not make up for it, way to try and justify yourself as a good teacher while underhandedly looking for complements on your cooking. No quarrel on you qualifications as a writer, but as a teacher, don't be surprised on inspiring the first cg shooting.
(The following is Lee's explanation of the essay above, given to the media by his lawyer.)
Authors Note: This production of writing is done in the most accurate manner I can depict of the original writing. Grammar and spelling mistakes are included at the best accuracy possible. The first phrase in questions is in fact a Green Day song. The second reference to drugs is in relation to the schools history of drug problems. I am personally clean of all controlled substances. The statement in quotes is done so as a non personal statement as I would have done in reference to a character for a story. The reference to the gun P90 is from a video game, combined with a reference to necrophilia as a comment regarding a seriously messed up situation. A situation such as the rape of villagers during a raid by U.S. troops in Vietnam. I really do not care too much about by continuing academia as in relation to grades. I do however believe on continuing my personal education, and I am actually still working for my classes. My views on the graduation requirements explain themselves. The reference to Mario and Pudge( a DOTA character) are completely random as is this essay. The reference to a person being smart and people being dumb is based on a quote from "Men in Black." I generally do believe the public opinion is best. The rest of the essay is rather self explanatory, the main statement in question I have already released a comment online about. I request that all information I have released is read together, and nothing given separately or as an excerpt as the administration has seen fit to do.
On an additional note, I have completed the MEPS (Military Entry Processing Station) examinations, and yes a psychiatric evaluation is included in the process. If I'm qualified to defend the country, I believe I'm qualified to attend school.
Re:Freedom? What freedom? (Score:3, Informative)
The united states are not stopping you from same sex marriage your state is.
On your second point the coca plant can make cocain so your saying it should be un regulated. Now your probably talking about marijuana, this is highly debatable topic. marijuana is thought be used for medical treatment, but it is also a drug. Drugs in general have to go through testing and FDA approval before they can be sold. Now there are alot of people that will not alow that to happen but i'll talk more on this point later.
on your third point I'm assuming this is directly related to point 2 so I'm guessing you like some substance that comes from plants
On your third point of dress, I have seen some skimpy dress so I wouldn't say its a matter of how you dress unless its your work or your school which you have the freedom to quit and go somewhere else. Now to if you should wear cloths at all. It is true that you could get a fine or worse if you go naked down the street. This is because as well as your own freedom other people shouldn't have to suffer from seing your naked body go down the street. As well as being a free country the US is also a country based on religion(though religion and state shouldn't be mixed they are) and it is known that this should be wrong. I'll get more to this later as well when I talk about freedom and country.
Onto point five this like your first point is actually legal in some countys of Nevada. Meaning its not a US thing its a state thing. In Rhode Island it is not illegal to take money for sex as long as its not solicitated at a brothel or on the street(taken from wiki as well). So this point is invalid when stating the country wouldn't let you do that. Your state just follows the norm.
As for your last point on travel, theres not much I can say there. Your country is arguing with theirs so they won't let you go directly. On that note they aren't going to arrest you if you have traveled there and came back. They won't deny you to go to cuba you just can't leave from the US to get there. It is completely legal for you(if your an american well or anybody) to go to Cuba. Also you may be permited to go to cuba is you have a special license that you obtain. As far as I know(I only know of cuba) this is the case with most countries.
Now onto my point of freedom. Freedom is a term used with the united states I'm going to break everything that I have said and say that the United States is not a free country. No country is completly free. Free of rules laws that would be just crazy. Your free to talk about those rules and laws. To bring them to your government and get them changed. You want to walk around naked take it up with your congresmen. Tell them I believe that I am being injusticed by this. This is how laws are made in the states. You can run for congres you can vote differently in the next election. The truth is though your country is as free as the person beside you lets it be. A country can't have a rule that will hard its population thats just not sane. If the majority disagree whole heartily about something it will most likely eventually be changed. If you country was not free in the term that its used in. There would be no avenue for change except revolution, which by the constitution it seems to be an option as well. The truth is that you need to have people in government that understands the people and that is usually
Re:Knee-jerk reaction to Virginia Tech (Score:1, Informative)
They just aren't allowed to be promoted by the institution.
No one said students aren't allowed to bring their own bibles to school. Likewise no one ever said students aren't allowed to pray in school, the school just can't promote or force people to pray (and I think, but not sure, set aside time specifically for prayer.) Rather than towing the Religious Right's line, why not speak factually and intelligently about a subject. Strawmen serve only to raise peoples' ire.
Re:The arresting officers (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Knee-jerk reaction to Virginia Tech (Score:1, Informative)
Bibles are allowed in public schools and MANY public school libraries have them. You should check it out.
Re:The arresting officers (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Knee-jerk reaction to Virginia Tech (Score:3, Informative)
However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them--the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites--as the Lord your God has commanded you.
either god said make them your slaves or your whores. you can choose, but it is his direct command to you as a christian. Deuteronomy - 20, 10-17. So god definitely endorses slavery and probably rape as you can translate it as "eat the plunder of your enemies". And I'm not sure, but what did the Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, etc ever do? nothing. they were in the wrong place according to this god and therefore should die. You are commanded to kill all non christians/jews that live in the holy land by your god. It is your inheritance.
Christians just love to ignore what they are commanded to do by the direct word of god(and never "un-commanded" by Jesus") and claim interpretation. its pretty darn straight forward. Don't defend the bible by saying it's a misinterpretation by everyone else. You'll be a lot more intellectually honest (a rarity outside of religion as well, so its not a bash on being religious) if you just admit you don't believe in a lot of what the bible says and have no intention of ever doing it.
but remember, if you decide to follow the commands of god and go the holy land, don't forget to kill the cattle(it's my favorite line in the entire bible:-))