A 12-year-old boy was kicked out of his class for displaying a Gadsden flag patch on his backpack, but the school is walking back its actions after national attention spurred by a viral video.
"We can't have that around other kids," a school administrator remarked during a meeting that was recorded with an undercover camera. The student was told he could return to class without the symbol, known as the "Don't Tread on Me" banner with the coiled rattlesnake.
"The reason we do not want the flag displayed is due to its origins with slavery and slave trade," the administrator said, adding that they were adhering to district policies.
However, the meaning of the Gadsden flag is not connected to slavery. It was created in 1775 as a symbol during the Revolutionary War. The flag was an American warning to the British to not encroach on the colonists. Today, Americans in Alabama, Florida, and Virginia have license plates with the symbol.
After millions witnessed the video online, the public charter school reversed its stance on Tuesday, informing the parents that the Gadsden flag is now allowed to be displayed in the classroom.
"At this time, the Vanguard School Board and the District have informed the student's family that he may attend school with the Gadsden flag patch visible on his backpack," an email stated.
The school said the viral story was incomplete, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported, as several other patches were in question for showing semi-automatic weapons. The student reportedly removed those patches.
Even Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a staunch liberal, disagreed with the school's original belief, saying that it's a "great teaching moment for a history lesson."
Regardless of school officials' knowledge of the Gadsden flag, it took being blasted in the limelight for them to recognize their error. In a time when information is easily accessible, it's a good reminder that we all must do thorough research on any subject before coming to conclusions.
SEE ALSO: The real history behind the Gadsden flag that Chris Pratt critics chose to ignore
Self-governance and free-thinking start in the home, and it's clear this mother did just that for her son. At a national level, We the People are sick and tired of the federal government treading on our daily lives, so we're doing something about it.
Convention of States is on a mission to restore freedom to the people by calling for an Article V convention. We're bringing liberty-loving Americans together in every community to stop the destructive influences coming from Washington.
To join our grassroots effort, add your name to the COS petition below.
