Las Cruces high school student suspended over rosary
LAS CRUCES - Paul Torres says he’s praying the rosary a lot these days.
The 16-year-old Mayfield High School junior was suspended Thursday - and was threatened with another suspension Tuesday - for wearing a black rosary outside his clothing, which often signifies gang involvement.
Torres insists he’s not in a gang, doesn’t hang out with anyone who claims gang membership and that the school’s order violates his right to self-expression.
“I don’t ever take it off,” said Torres, who is Catholic, though his family has stopped attending Holy Cross Catholic Church due to a conflict between his parents. “I feel protected with it on.”
And last week was the first time any school administrator had made an issue of the rosary, even though he’s been wearing it openly for four years, he said.
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I can’t believe this is happening in Las Cruces!