Story from ABC Action News. (H/T Jihad Watch)

Excerpt:

The teen says an issue over the American flag is why she was written up and handed a five-day suspension from Springstead High School this week for criticizing a Muslim student. Heather says the other girl was sitting down during the Pledge of Allegiance.

“You know, I made a not-so-kind remark, and I do sincerely apologize for referring to the thing on her head because that had nothing to do with it.” Heather told us, “But I told her, ‘Why don’t she act like she’s proud to be an American?'”

Despite the open apology to the girl, who wears a hijab, the President of the Tampa/Hillsborough County Human Rights Council says Heather’s actions were harmful and the school was right for taking action.

“But whether standing up or not, this issue’s not about the pledge of allegiance or anything else.” Council President Ahmed Bedier said. “This is about bullying and it’s about discrimination.”

It sounds like an American version of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Free speech is now “discrimination” and “bullying”. Who is being bullied here?

Robert Spenser notes that Ahmed Bedier has some experience with bullying.