A screenshot from an Edmond North High School student has sparked outrage on social media after the student shared that he was asked to remove an American flag from the back of his pickup truck.
Edmond community members say the situation is a Constitutional rights violation, though the school has responded that prohibiting all types of flags on vehicles is a long-standing practice.
According to Jeff Bardach, Edmond Public Schools’ public information officer, the school district doesn’t allow any flags on campus due to potential disruption.
“You can’t allow one [flag] and limit another,” Bardach said. “It’s been our long-standing practice to not allow students to bring flags.”
This policy is explained to students at the beginning of each school year through a slideshow presentation illustrating district rules, Bardach said.
The district shared a screenshot of the slide depicting specific rules and expectations:
Bardach said the policy is also done in an effort to provide a safe school environment as flying flags on vehicles creates safety issues in the parking lot as well as can cause damage to other vehicles.
“To be clear, this is not about the American flag or patriotism. Edmond Public Schools proudly displays the American flag prominently and in the proper, respectful way outside each of our buildings and in our classrooms,” Bardach said. “Not only do we recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning as we start our school day, but we also present the colors and play the national anthem at most of our athletic events. All of these things are done in the proper fashion according to flag etiquette.”
The student’s family did not respond to The Oklahoman’s request for comment by the time of publication.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma student told to remove flag from truck draws community outcry
Source Agencies
