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Michigan High School Student Sent Home for Wearing a T-Shirt with a Picture of President Bush and the Caption 'International Terrorist': He’ll Give US His First Nationally Broadcast Interview

StoryFebruary 20, 2003
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    A Dearborn High School student was sent home from school earlier this week for wearing an anti-Bush T-shirt.

    The T-shirt shows a picture of President Bush and is emblazoned with the caption “International Terrorist.”

    16-year-old Brett Barber said he wore the T-shirt as part of a presentation to his English class. His assignment: write a compare and contrast essay. He compared and contrasted President Bush and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

    Repeated calls to Dearborn High principal Judith Coebly were not returned.

    But The Detroit News reports school officials told 16-year-old Bretton Barber the T-shirt could spark tensions in a district where more than 50% of students are Arab-American.

    The ACLU of Michigan last night decided to take the case.

    We’re joined right now by Brett Barber. This is his first national radio or TV interview.

    Guests:

    • Bretton Barber, Dearborn High School student who was sent home from school for wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Bush and a caption 'International Terrorist.'
    • Kary Moss, executive director of the Michigan ACLU.

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