Activism at Work: Victim of “Zero Tolerance” Has Punishment Dramatically Reduced Due to Public Outcry

Kimberly Paxton
Activist Post

Finally, there’s a tiny glimmer of hope in the “zero-tolerance” nonsense category.

Back in February, The Daily Sheeple reported on the case of David Duren-Sanner, an honor student from Clarksville, Tennessee whose saga begin when he borrowed his father’s truck to get to school one day.

David Duren-Sanner, a senior at Northeast High School, made the crucial error of allowing a search of the vehicle he drove to school that day, because “he had nothing to hide.”

He had borrowed his father’s vehicle. His father is a commercial fisherman by trade.
It’s not difficult to guess how things quickly devolved from that point. 

“His father is a commercial fisherman on the West Coast and had apparently left a fishing knife in the car. Duren-Sanner’s father said it might have been wedged between one of the seats. 

Duren-Sanner said he told school officials and the Sheriff’s department the car was his father’s and he didn’t know the knife was in it. 

“He’s like ‘it doesn’t matter it was in your possession anyway,’” Duren-Sanner said. (source) 

In an incident of absolutely monumental overreaction, the punishment was extreme, so much so that it threatens the boy’s future. Not only are his chances at a scholarship now in jeopardy, but he also faces felony charges.

A petition was started and, as of the publication of this article, 25,913 people have signed it in support of the young man. The overwhelming response played a big part in pressuring the school district to reduce the ridiculous punishment from 90 days to 30 days. Although the ridiculous charges should have been dropped and no punishment should have occurred for such a non-offense, at least he will be allowed to graduate with his class and go to prom.

Unfortunately, David’s trouble isn’t over yet. He still faces weapons charges from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. His court date was March 14, but the court could not locate the school police officer. Instead of dropping the charges, the court has rescheduled David’s arraignment for May 21st.

Here’s how you can help:

If you haven’t signed the petition already, please do so HERE.

District Attorney General John Carney’s phone number is (931) 648-5574.

The Montgomery County Sheriff is John Fuson. His phone number is (931) 648-0611 ext. 13501. The email address of the sheriff’s office is [email protected].

A new bill is coming to the state senate of Ohio that will fight these ridiculous zero-tolerance policies. You can show your support by signing this petition. This could be a precedent for other states to enact their own laws to protect innocent students from frivolous prosecution.

Kimberly Paxton is a staff writer for The Daily Sheeple, where this first appeared. She is based out of upstate New York. You can follow Kimberly on Facebook and Twitter.