SAN FRANCISCO FEDERAL JUDGE DECLARES PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN SCHOOLS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Wednesday, September 15, 2005, 11:45 a.m.

A San Francisco federal judge this morning ruled it is unconstitutional for public school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance because it contains the words "under God," the Associated Press reported.

District Judge Lawrence Karlton said he's bound by precedent set by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in 2001 that it was unconstitutional for the Pledge to be recited in public schools.

The Supreme Court threw out that case, ruling that Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow had no standing to bring the legal action.

Newdow objected to the words "under God" in the pledge.

Newdow brought the second case to the federal court -- this time, representing unidentified parents and their children.

Today's decision sets up another constitutional showdown over the pledge.

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