Pennsylvania teacher suspended for bin Laden comments sues district

By The Associated Press

10.05.02

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PITTSBURGH — A substitute teacher who says he was surrounded by armed guards, detained for an hour and suspended over remarks perceived as supportive of Osama bin Laden is suing the school district.

In the federal lawsuit filed Oct. 2, John B. Gardner, 52, said his free-speech rights were violated after Pittsburgh Public Schools officials found notes about bin Laden he had scrawled on a newspaper.

Gardner said the notes were related to a book he was writing about how to overcome adversity.

"Osama bin Laden did us a favor," the notes read. "He vulcanized us, awakened us and strengthened our resolve."

According to the lawsuit, Gardner threw the paper in a wastebasket in the teachers' lounge. He was then allegedly surrounded by armed school guards and detained for an hour in front of Arthur J. Rooney Middle School. He was suspended and later reinstated.

Gardner is seeking damages of more than $50,000.

Pittsburgh Public Schools spokeswoman Pat Crawford declined to comment.

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