The speaker of the Tennessee House has allegedly sanctioned a lawmaker over her refusal to recite the "Pledge of Allegiance," as is customary at the start of each legislative session.

WATE-TV, an ABC affiliate, said House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh asked Rep. Henri Brooks to remain outside of the chamber if she didn't want to recite the pledge to the U.S. flag.

Brooks, the station reported, complained that Naifeh's request violated her constitutional rights and in response she has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union.

On Wednesday, the ACLU urged Naifeh in a letter to reconsider his request. Each session of the House and Senate always begin with a prayer followed by the pledge, WATE said.

Naifeh said he was merely interested in maintaining the decorum of the House, and said he had not ordered Brooks outside the chamber.

Also, WATE said, Naifeh only approached Brooks about her actions after a group of visiting school children asked why she did not stand up during the pledge.

Brooks, a black Democrat from Memphis, said she hasn't recited the pledge since the third grade because the American flag "represents a nation of former slave owners to her," WATE reported.