Students Who Want To Fly American Flags Walk Out

The Denver Channel ^ | 3/31/06 | Staff

[Millee]

More than two dozen students walked out of Skyline High School Friday morning to protest what they say is a ban that doesn't allow the American flag to be flown on school grounds.

Several students said that they were upset that Mexican flags can be waved around but that American flags couldn't. They said that school officials confiscated their American flags because it has become inflammatory because of recent immigration issues.

"When the immigration laws came out we noticed that a lot of Hispanics were waving Mexican flags and what we were thinking to ourselves is like, isn't the immigration law to stay in the country? You want to stay in America, correct? So I said, for every Mexican flag, you should have an American flag right next to it. So a few people went out and started waving American flags, and that's where everything bridged out," said Skyline student R.J. Fogal. "That's when they started telling us that we can't wave American flags, there's going to be no flags today, or everyone is going to be suspended -- whoever carries a flag."

"What we want to know is since when was it against the rules to have an American flag on a car, in a car, in your hands in a school?" said student William Cassity.

Skyline principal Tom Stumpf said that the school enacted a ban this week that prohibits students to display, wear or fly any flag -- American or Mexican.

"The (policy) evolved because the flags were being used, not as a symbol of cultural heritage, but the flags were being used as symbols of bigotry, a symbol of hostility. They were being used to inflame different groups and we're simply not going to tolerate that at Skyline High School," Stumpf said.

"My paramount obligation, my solemn obligation at Skyline High School, is to provide a safe and secure environment and with the flags being used as a catalyst to stir up the students, to stir up the environment, I cannot condone that ... One flag was thrown into the face of another group and another flag was being brandished in front of another group and it was done to raise emotions, and we don't want that. We want respect -- that's our main goal at Skyline High School," he said.

The school has a diverse population and some students say there have been tensions between different ethnic groups because of the national immigration debate.

"I think our whole society is on different sides of the immigration issue and I can't control that. All I'm asking from our students is respect -- respect for one another, treating each other as they themselves want to be treated, treating each other decently, civilly," Stumpf said.

He said the students have a right to rally and those who walked out of class on Friday would not be punished.

[La Enchiladita]

Good one, Sand.

Indeed, I thank GOD for THESE children.

[La Enchiladita]

Here is a much better photo than all of those:

An, oh yeah, I sent my e-mail to Principal Smurf and his AP.

[TheForceOfOne]

[La Enchiladita]

If you could get the principal fired, that would be righteous.

[La Enchiladita]

GMTA!!!

[TheForceOfOne]

I'm about to write a nasty letter to this idiot.

[Dr. Marten]

Check that: The number to Skyline High School is 720-494-3741

The previous listing was incorrect!

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

You bet! I've got my sign ready to go. Just have to print it out in banner mode, then tape it all together and mount on cardboard:

[redgirlinabluestate]

Same thing happened at my son's jr. high school. They were told that the American flag could be "divisive." Unbelievable.

[meyer]

Thanks for the ping. I don't know what is going to come of all this.

I don't know either, but if your elected officials don't react properly (for once), I suspect that it'll get pretty ugly.

[jan in Colorado]

This issue is going to blow up in the principle's face.

I am going to do everything in my power to see that it does!

[KneelBeforeZod]

Link to big desktop wallpaper size

[texastoo]

I think it is going to get ugly and in the not too distant future. On another thread, the police have arrested the boy who burned the Mexican flag and charged him with arson.

Our country is going down hill rapidly.

[KneelBeforeZod]

some historical flags

from United States Embassy Stockholm, of all places...

[LibertarianInExile]

That is an incredible group of kids. I hope their principal is torn a new one for banning the flags in the first place. Divisive. What a joke.

I hope they are punished for walking out--school is not the place for protests, and the taxpayers would ultimately be liable were they injured in their walkout--but if I were the parent of one of these kids, I'd give them a stern talking-to. For example, I'd say, "Do you want me to pay for a custom paint job of the U.S. flag on your car so you can piss on this bureaucrat's parade a little more?"

[KneelBeforeZod]

culpepper

Green Mtn Boys

First Navy Jack

cavalry guidon

Bennington

[LibertarianInExile]

"I am coming o this conclusion lately. Leave the illegals alone. Totally alone. No schools. No medical care. No welfare. And at job sites, don't go after illegals. Go after the employers. Every patriotic American ought to make it a priority to locate a local business that hires illegals, and turn the business in to ICE. Do it as often as you need to in order to get action."

And when you report to the ICE, do so in writing and visibly cc: congressmen, local politicians, the state governor, and every media outlet you can. Some politicians will enjoy the opportunity to demagogue, and we desperately need noise on this issue, even from gaseous politico windbags. The media will enjoy the controversy.

[jan in Colorado]

My Name Is Old Glory

I am the flag of the United States of America.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on the worlds longest undefended border.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am honored - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected -- and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam. Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon Vietnam. Know me, I was there.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me, And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts. But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.

But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY... DEAR GOD, LONG MAY I WAVE.
Author © Howard Schnauber

Pray, my FRiends. Our Country is under attack. Our FREEDOMS are being stripped away and we must stand up and fight!

[lawdog]

Thanks...I see the kid in Arizona who burned the Mexican flag( which was placed ABOVE the stars and stripes) is being charged with arson..sorry but that is B.S. the little MECHA type miscreants who started it should be charged with disturbing the peace... anyone have any good lawyers in Arizona...the kids gonna need one and it seems the MECHA miscreants are threatening the kids family...

[TheForceOfOne]

I was surfing and found this site, it has a ton a pictures showing flag burning. I would never burn our flag and it is beyond me to understand why anyone else would.

Flag Burning Photo's