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03-25-2005, 01:37 AM
PROVIDENCE, R.I. A Providence high school student has been suspended from school after he photographed the principal smoking on school grounds, and posting the pictures on the Internet.
Eliazar Velasquez, a sophomore at Central High School, snapped pictures of Principal Elaine Almagno smoking a cigarette outside a school door earlier this month. Smoking within 25 feet of a school violates state law.
Velasquez then posted the pictures on a Web site, and distributed fliers at school telling students where to find the pictures.
Central High administrators say Velasquez's suspension was because the sophomore had harassed and slandered the principal and was being a disruptive influence.
The American Civil Liberties Union has gotten involved, saying the suspension raises freedom of speech and due-process issues.
Eliazar Velasquez, a sophomore at Central High School, snapped pictures of Principal Elaine Almagno smoking a cigarette outside a school door earlier this month. Smoking within 25 feet of a school violates state law.
Velasquez then posted the pictures on a Web site, and distributed fliers at school telling students where to find the pictures.
Central High administrators say Velasquez's suspension was because the sophomore had harassed and slandered the principal and was being a disruptive influence.
The American Civil Liberties Union has gotten involved, saying the suspension raises freedom of speech and due-process issues.