A school in Colorado Springs apparently is of the belief that the Constitution protects an individual’s speech – as long as no one objects to the speech.
That’s the conclusion as a result of a fight in the school over one student’s Gadsden flag patch on his backpack.
The school, falsely claiming that it was a representation of slavery, banned it from class, then backtracked by issuing a statement supporting the Constitution.
Now, however, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is getting involved.
The group has announced, “Colorado public school to allow student to display Gadsden flag patch — as long as nobody complains.”
The dispute involves middle schooler Jaiden Rodriguez and the Gadsden patch on his backpack.
Today, FIRE wrote The Vanguard School after learning the school will allow the student to wear the Gadsden flag patch… but only if nobody complains.
And the school is *completely prohibiting* the student from displaying a patch expressing support for gun rights. More to come. https://t.co/KUsfASa9ad pic.twitter.com/4jahj0ya08
— FIRE (@TheFIREorg) August 31, 2023
The FIRE reported, “After video of a school administrator meeting with the student and his mother went viral earlier this week, the school relented and will allow him to sport the patch ‘[a]t this time.’ However, the student’s mother, Eden Rodriguez, informed FIRE that the school district’s assistant superintendent told her this ‘permission’ comes with a troubling caveat: If a student or staff member complains about the patch, it must come off.”
The report noted that the school also is demanding that Jaiden remove another patch that “is equally protected by the First Amendment,” representing a gun rights nonprofit.
FIRE said it has issued a letter to the school that the Constitution doesn’t allow officials to censor speech to fit their own ideologies.
The student has used the “Don’t Tread on Me” image for some time, the report said.
It originally was “a popular symbol of unity and defiance among the American colonies during the Revolutionary War, and various groups with different political aims have used it over its long, subsequent history.”
WND reported earlier that after the controversy hit headlines, the school officials “confirmed they ‘have informed the student’s family that he may attend school with the Gadsden flag patch on his backpack.'”
Now, however, that appears to be not completely accurate, even though the school board’s statement said, “Upon learning of these events today, The Vanguard School Board of Directors called an emergency meeting. From Vanguard’s founding we have proudly supported our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the ordered liberty that all Americans have enjoyed for almost 250 years. The Vanguard School recognizes the historical significance of the Gadsden flag and its place in history. This incident is an occasion for us to reaffirm our deep commitment to a classical education in support of these American principles.”
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