Community rallies around Oklahoma student barred from flying flag

( NewsNation ) — Parents and students gathered in the parking lot of a high school in Edmond, Oklahoma, with flags mounted on their vehicles — in response to a student who was told by the school that he couldn’t fly the American flag from his truck.

Caleb Horst, a senior in high school, says , “I’ve never really had problems with it before, and it’s our First Amendment right, so it’s kind of hard for them to infringe upon our rights.”

At least 100 vehicles showed up at Edmond North High School Monday morning to speak out against the school’s flag policy.

The Edmond Public School district prohibits all types of flags on vehicles, saying it is a long-standing practice to prevent possible disruptions. The policy is also implemented in an effort to provide a safe school environment as flying flags on vehicles creates safety issues in the parking lot and can cause damage to other vehicles, the district said.

“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,” Jeff Bardach, EPS public information officer, 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,” Bardach continued.

In response to the controversy, four state lawmakers from the Edmond area sent a letter to Edmond Superintendent Angela Grunewald’s office, urging administrators to reconsider their position on student displays of the American flag.

On Monday, community members at the rally spoke out about why they felt the policy was unjust.

“If it’s the flag today, what is it tomorrow ?” Lynn McNeely, a parent of an Edmond North student, said. “It’s not a protest. It’s not political. It’s not about red. It’s not about blue. It’s about red, white and blue. So, where do we draw the line?”

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