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05/15/2004:

"So Much for the 1st Amendment"

Teachers Placed on Leave for Berg Video

VILLA PARK, Calif. (AP) - At least three teachers have been placed on paid leave following complaints they showed students the videotaped beheading of American Nicholas Berg in Iraq.

Villa Park High School English teacher Stephen Arcudi allowed students to use his classroom computer to see video footage of Berg being executed, school officials said.

"Because of our concern over his judgment and the way he handled the situation, we have put him on leave while we continue to investigate,'' said Orange Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Cohen.

Two other teachers were put on leave by the Grossmont Union High School District near San Diego.

Cohen said both a parent and a student complained.

Arcudi, 46, said he discouraged a student from trying to find the Berg video on the Web. But his students said Arcudi gave out the Web address where the video could be found.

``He said: `This is the enemy we're up against and these are the things you don't get to see,''' said Naim Dujak, 17. ``He did not force anyone to watch it.''
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