A high school freshman is protesting the removal of a plaque of the Ten Commandments from the wall of Harding High School in Ohio, which was a gift from the class of 1953.
"I am attending class because by law I have to attend class but I am refusing to participate," Anthony Miller told 10 TV, a local television station. "I'm aware of the consequences, but I would like to get my point across."
Miller said he noticed the Ten Commandments were taken off the wall when he returned to school in September, but he didn't start his protest until he found out the plaque was taken down permanently.
"I don't care about my grades right now," Miller told the Marion Star. "I told the principal, until there is an agreement reached, I will not participate in any Harding-related activities, any Marion City Schools-related activities. Sports, choir, classes, whatever. I won't even wear my Harding Marching Band shirt."
The school district decided to remove the Ten Commandments plaque in response to the legal challenges faced by other school districts in the state that were started by similar Ten Commandments displays.
Although Miller appears to be the only student protesting by not participating in school activities, he is not fighting this battle alone.
Classmates Shanna Morris, Cheyenne Abrams and Sydney Cook started a petition to get the plaque put back on the wall, reported the Marion Star.
The school district's superintendent Gary Barber agreed to meet with the students, local faith-based ministers and members of the community to discuss where to put the plaque.
