Family pull their son out of school after he's told to remove American flags from his truck
A Virginia family have pulled their son out of high school after he was told to remove American flags he'd mounted on his truck.
Student Christopher Hartless - who attended Staunton River High School - claims he is simply exercising his First Amendment right to fly the American flag on his vehicle.
However, the school argued that 'it was a distraction' to have the large flags mounted on his car.
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He told ABC affiliate WSET-TV: "I don't understand how it's a distraction if they have one on the flagpole that every other student can see."
Adding: "My family fought for America and I feel like I should be able to represent the flag that they fought for."
Step-mom Christina Kingery also struggled to understand why the school was okay to wave a large flag over the school but her stepson was unable to have them on his truck.
"If this is what he is believing in, me and his dad are both going to stand behind him all the way to the end of it." she said.
"If they're willing to change and let kids want to fly the American flag, then I'll put him back in Staunton River... possibly put him back in Staunton River, but if they don't, then I'm going to continue to let him fly his flags."
Kingery also claims that he had his parking pass revoked, and because she doesn't want him to take the bus, they have decided to homeschool him.
"I think that every student doesn't matter what you believe in, what flag you fly, as long as it's not harmful and it doesn't disgrace our country, you have the right to fly it." she added.
Staunton River High School provided a statement to the outlet, which read: "Flag clarification: Last week, we conducted a standard review of the Student Code of Conduct.
"Unfortunately, there has been some incorrect information posted on several social media websites, so I would like to provide clarification about the American flag on student attire, safety provisions in our student parking contract, and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
"The BCPS Code of Student Conduct prohibits 'Attire that has language or images that are offensive, profane, vulgar, discriminatory, or racially/culturally divisive. This would include confederate flags, swastikas, KKK references, or any other images that might reasonably be considered hurtful or intimidating to others'.
"It does not include wearing clothing with American flag logos or prints on attire."
It continued: "This attire is allowed. Regarding flags on cars, the student parking contract, which has been used by all 3 of our high schools for many years, states, 'Large flags or banners are not allowed to be flown or displayed on vehicles due to their distractive nature'.
"School Board Policy IEA: Promotion of Patriotism states, 'the current American flag shall be displayed on the grounds of every school,' and the Pledge of Allegiance 'shall be recited daily, each morning, in every classroom' in accordance with state law.
"Please be assured that we proudly fly the American flag throughout the school, and the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every morning.
"Unfortunately, some of the speakers in our intercom system, which was upgraded over the summer, were not functioning properly on the first day of school. This was immediately reported and has been corrected."
UNILAD has contacted Staunton River High School for additional comment.
Anish Vij