Replying to Boulder kids with new pledge... protest phrase "under god"

BOULDER — About a dozen Boulder High students walked out of class this morning to protest the school's daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

About 100 other students watched as the group recited their own pledge to both the American flag and the planet.

Senior Emma Martens, 17, said the students were unhappy with the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

"For me, this is all about separation of church and state," said Martens, a member of the school's longtime protest group known as Student Worker.

Principal Bud Jenkins said there would be no repercussions for the students because they did not cause a disruption.

He said the school has no choice but to say the pledge because it is required by state law.

Most of the students who watched today's protest were sympathetic, and cheered on their schoolmates.

But senior Donovan Ranta, 17, said, "I think everybody is doing it to get attention."


"I pledge allegiance to the flag and my constitutional rights with which it comes. And to the diversity, in which our nation stands, one nation, part of one planet, with liberty, freedom, choice and justice for all."