Dean McGee is “in it for the long haul” to find justice for the McGhee family after their 16-year-old son was suspended for using the term “illegal alien” at his North Carolina school.

In April, Christian McGhee was suspended for three days after asking a teacher whether her reference to the word “aliens” referred to “space aliens, or illegal aliens who need green cards.” After a student allegedly threatened to “kick his a—” for using the term, Christian was referred to the assistant principal who concluded it was a “racially motivated comment which disrupts class.”

In response, the Liberty Justice Center, where McGee works as the Education Freedom Attorney, announced a lawsuit against the Davidson County Board of Education on behalf of the family on Tuesday.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, McGee described the school as effectively attributing racism when it wasn’t there.  

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SUSPENDED OVER USING THE TERM ‘ILLEGAL ALIEN’: REPORT

“It’s the assistant principal, the administrator, who elevated this to a racial incident where one did not exist. The boy who responded to our client said, ‘hold on, I wasn’t really offended. This isn’t a big deal.’ And the words of the assistant principal, these are his own words, explained what he said to our client’s mother, ‘No, sir. Those words are a big deal,’” McGee said.

“In other words, the assistant principal was telling this boy, well, you might not be offended, but you should be offended,” he added.

McGee also recalled that Leah McGhee, Christian’s mother, had suggested a mediation session between the two families and the faculty to discuss the situation rather than dole out punishment.

“And the assistant principal said no. Harsh punishment. Three days out of school suspension. That was his solution. Not empathy, not understanding, just punishing this child and branding him racist on his permanent record,” McGee said. “But the ironic result is a total lack of empathy toward either student, total lack of healing, lack of a learning opportunity, and just meeting out punishment, stigmatizing, branding a 16-year-old boy in a way that could harm his future if it’s not fixed.”

Although the McGhee family has faced backlash and threats on the assumption that Christian said something racist, McGee noted that there has also been overwhelming support for the family. 

The McGhee family is demanding an apology from the school and school board over Christian’s suspension. (iStock)

“I don’t mean to downplay the harassment and threats that my client and his mother received. But there’s also been an outpouring of support, and I think that support just comes from a place of intuitive empathy for a kid who is being mistreated by his own school and in such a vicious way that has a potential impact on his future,” McGee said.

Public opinion also appeared to take the McGhee family’s side at the Davidson County Board of Education meeting Monday night. All but two speakers voiced their support for Christian McGhee and attacked the school board for failing to address his suspension.

NORTH CAROLINA BECOMES 9TH STATE TO PASS UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE, THE FIRST TO DO SO WITHOUT GOP TRIFECTA

“You are not in any way, shape or form helping our students. By the way, if you squash a student’s question, you squash education. I’m appalled, and you still got the smirk on your face. I so hope you get voted out,” one speaker said.

The McGhee family is seeking a public apology from the school board on the matter and demanding that the suspension be removed from Christian’s record. In the event the district court does not rule in their favor, they are prepared to appeal.

McGee took issue with the fact that it was the school, not the students, who saw something wrong with the term “illegal alien.” (iStock)

“Our organization has appealed in the past and won a case at the Supreme Court. We would be willing to do that here if it’s necessary. We’re in it for the long haul for this family,” McGee said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Davidson County Board of Education members for a comment.

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A positive case of tuberculosis (TB) has been identified at a school in Randolph County.

Leaders with the Randolph County Public Health system said the case was identified at Eastern Randolph High School, adding person with TB has not been in attendance since late April.

Health officials said students and staff have been made aware of the case. Health leaders said they’re working closely with the Randolph County School System and the State of North Carolina TB Consultants/Experts to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the positive case.

Read more at WXII.com.

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has announced the successful acquisition of a breathtaking 2,921-acre property in Hyde County.

“This significant achievement, completed on March 28, 2024, marks a momentous step forward in conservation efforts in coastal North Carolina,” stated a news release from the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.

The property, formerly held by the Glenn R. Currin and Sue A. Currin Revocable Trusts, boasts an impressive 50 miles of waterfront spanning Abel, Spencer and Rose bays. Its diverse ecosystems include pristine coastal marshlands, pond pine woodlands, oak hammocks and a substantial 215-acre waterfowl impoundment, making it a haven for a wide array of wildlife species.

“We are excited to have protected this spectacular property, which serves as a vital habitat for coastal wildlife,” remarked Harrison Marks, executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. “We extend our gratitude to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for their invaluable partnership and to the generous funders whose support made this conservation endeavor possible.”

Recognized by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as one of the state’s premier areas for biodiversity and wildlife habitat, the property is home to numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds, including the American black duck and various sandpipers. It may also provide refuge for imperiled wildlife such as the eastern black rail and northern big-eared bat, both federally listed as threatened species.

“Situated within the Swanquarter/Gull Rock Wetlands Significant Natural Heritage Area, its expansive coastal marsh plays a crucial role in protecting inland areas from storms and helps sustain local fisheries that are important for the local economy,” noted the release.

After completing the purchase, the Coastal Land Trust transferred the property to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as part of the Gull Rock Game Land. “The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is committed to enhancing habitat for native wildlife on this property including management of vegetation and water levels in the 215-acre wetland impoundment,” stated Ben Solomon, assistant chief and land acquisition manager of the Wildlife Resources Commission. “We look forward to opening it for public hunting opportunities in the future.”

The acquisition of this property was made possible through the support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.C. Land and Water Fund, Fred and Alice Stanback, and the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, Inc.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

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