SAN FRANCISCO — An atheist who sued because he did not want his young daughter exposed to the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has filed another lawsuit — this time with other parents.
Michael Newdow won his case more than two years ago before a federal appeals court, which said it was an unconstitutional blending of church and state for public school students to pledge to God.
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In June, however, the Supreme Court dismissed the case, saying Newdow could not lawfully sue because he did not have custody of his elementary school-aged daughter and because the girl's mother objected to the lawsuit.
In the latest challenge filed Monday in Sacramento federal court, eight co-plaintiffs have joined the suit, and all are custodial parents or the children themselves, Newdow said.
The plaintiffs' names have been withheld from the lawsuit.
"It's because of the potential adverse impacts of having your name on a case like this. That's why they are not named," Newdow said Wednesday.
He had promised to refile when the Supreme Court dismissed his case this summer.
"I want this decided on its merits," said Newdow, a doctor and a lawyer, who again is the attorney in the latest pledge case.
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