Flag Waving Banned at Colorado School
Saturday, April 1, 2006(04-01) 05:41 PST Longmont, Colo. (AP) --
Dozens of high school students protested a temporary school policy forbidding students from displaying the U.S. flag — as well as flags from other countries — amid racial tensions following immigration rallies.
Skyline High School Principal Tom Stumpf said American flags were brazenly waved in the faces of Hispanic students and in one case a Mexican flag was thrown into the face of another student.
"When it involves the American flag and its abuse in vilifying other people, we simply will not tolerate it," Stumpf said. "They were using the symbol derisively as misguided patriotism."
Students were warned about the policy Friday and several were suspended, although Stumpf would not provide details. Then, about 100 students protested during lunch time.
Student Dustin Carlson told Denver station KCNC-TV that he was suspended for two days.
"I'm getting suspended for it and personally I think that's uncalled for," he said. "If this country means freedom, then why can't we fly our own flag? It's ridiculous."
Thousands of high school students Friday in California, Texas, Nevada and other states protested the tough immigration laws proposed in the House. Some waved Mexican flags and carried signs saying "We are not criminals."
On Monday, about 150 high school students, including some from Skyline, protested in Longmont.
"People are taking it to a whole other level," said Laura Avitia. "I don't think they know why we were protesting."
It's hard to know where even to begin here. I would think that tossing anything in anyone's face would be against the rules; why we need to inflame nationalistic passions by banning our own freakin' flag is far beyond me. What's next, ditching the US flag on the flagpole and replacing it with an OAS or, God forbid, a UN flag?
I've been silent on these recent protests by Hispanics. I'm not quite sure what they hope to get out of these rallies and protests, but if they don't understand the importance of not breaking the freakin' law, perhaps their presence in this country isn't as necessary as they'd like to think. BTW, that goes for anyone, not just our brown-skinned brethren and sistren.
One of these days I'll do a post on MEChA, one of the most disgusting organizations currently operating freely in this country.
This administrator's move is EXACTLY the kind of decision you get when you create an atmosphere where people are more worried about political correctness than doing the right thing.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, and I may sound cynical about the whole thing...I think the kids were more interested in getting out of class than making a political statement. As long as they can continue to get away with cutting class to protest immigration or any other heated subject, they will until truancy laws are enforced.