West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette was a 1943 Supreme Court case addressing students' religious rights. The court ruled that students cannot be forced to salute the American flag or say the Pledge of Allegiance if doing so conflicts with their religious beliefs. The case involved Jehovah’s Witness students who refused to salute the flag. The Court decided that forcing patriotic expressions infringed on their First Amendment rights to religious freedom and free speech. This decision affirmed that individual rights, especially religious beliefs, must be protected even in public schools.