Arizona bill would ban anti-U.S. subjects

PHOENIX, April 17 (UPI) -- An Arizona legislator said he has proposed a ban on so-called anti-American subjects at public schools and ethnic student organizations at college campuses.

Rep. Russell Pearce says his measure is in agreement with public education's mission of teaching "the values of American citizenship."

"Public tax dollars used in public schools should not be used to denigrate American values and the teachings of Western civilization," the proposal says.

The House Appropriations Committee endorsed the bill this week, The Arizona Republic reported Thursday.

Critics of the bill say cultural clubs don't do any harm, and that Pearce's proposal doesn't define what subjects should be considered anti-American.