Teen bullied for supporting Trump wasn’t protected by his school, Texas lawsuit says

A Texas school district failed to protect a teen who was bullied for supporting President Donald Trump, a lawsuit says.

The student accuses Austin Independent School District of making him an “open target” of discrimination and violence because of his political views in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in a Texas federal court. The bullying and harassment began when the student was in middle school and continued when he entered high school, the lawsuit says. The student is identified as Jon Doe.

“Plaintiff Jon is a student who has been verbally abused and publicly ridiculed by Jon’s teachers, physically assaulted by other students, and most recently threatened with his life by Jon’s fellow students,” the lawsuit says. “Why? Because Jon sought a true diversity of thought and discussion at his schools, which included Jon having the audacity of supporting the President of the United States”

Austin ISD did not respond to a request for comment by McClatchy News on Thursday evening.

A student is accused of saying, “I am going to kill all Trump supporters” to Jon in March, the lawsuit says. The death threat was reported to the student’s teachers and principals, but no action was taken, according to the lawsuit.

Jon’s parents filed complaints with the school district in attempts to stop the bullying, assaults and and denial of freedom to speech. Each grievance was denied, the lawsuit says.

Jon and his parents spoke at a school board meeting.

“Diversity of thought is the most important type of diversity there is,” Jon told the school board. “You can look different, talk different, date different, and have different color skin. But if you all think the same, then there is no real diversity.”

His statement “fell on deaf ears” and “drew the wrath” of the school board for bringing the grievance, the lawsuit says.

The family is seeking $1 million in damages.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 7:00 PM.