Student hurt after taking ant-illegal immigration sign to school

Associated Press - April 8, 2008 11:25 PM ET

DALLAS (AP) - Three middle school students are suspended after school officials in Athens say they hurt a classmate who brought an anti-illegal immigration poster to class.

The poster reads, "If you love our nation, stop illegal immigration."

Thirteen-year-old Melanie Bowers brought the sign to Athens Middle School last week as part of a class project on political activism.

Athens school superintendent Fred Hayes says the teenager was showing the poster in a hallway when other students -- upset over its message -- tried taking it from her.

J.R. Bowers, the girl's father, says his daughter suffered scratch marks along her neck, face and arms. He said she also had a swollen jaw.

School officials say they're still investigating the incident.

Hayes said the three students given in-school suspension are Hispanic. Bowers is white.

Bowers said he is holding his daughter out of school for a week until attention surrounding the scuffle calms down.

The Athens Daily Review and Tyler television station KLTV reported the story Monday.

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