Long Beach : Filmstrip Ban Reviewed
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School Supt. E. Tom Giugni has delayed until Nov. 12 a decision on whether to permanently ban two educational filmstrips accused by a group of parents of promoting witchcraft and the occult.
Citing a brief by the Long Beach Unified School District’s legal counsel, which Giugni said does not support the permanent removal of the filmstrips, the superintendent said he would give the parents a chance to present their own legal arguments in favor of removal before making a final decision. The filmstrips--titled “The Headless Cupid” and “Banner in the Sky”--were removed from use in Long Beach schools late last month after the parents complained.
Both films are designed to encourage elementary school students to read. The parents, many of them representing Christian organizations, said the filmstrips violated their religious rights by promoting anti-Christian ideas.
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