Posted on 04/01/2006 9:28:34 PM PST by Former Military Chick
(CBS4) LONGMONT, Colo. Several students were under suspension for flying flags at Skyline High School in a debate over immigration that has sparked debates over free speech and patriotism.
On Friday, some of the students skipped classes and took to the sidewalks outside the school.
"If this country means freedom why can't we fly our own flag? It's ridiculous," said Dustin Carlson, a suspended student.
The walkouts started on Monday when Mexican-American students began protesting the immigration bill now being debated in Washington, which calls for criminalizing illegal immigration.
Several carried Mexican flags which started counter protests from students who bore American flags. That's when the school stepped in.
Principal Tom Stumpf said students were becoming involved in what the school saw as bigotry.
Mexican-American student Lupita Silva claimed there were racial slurs and epithets.
"Just because you're Latino, they hate you," Silva said.
Stumpf said he feared the conduct with flags on schools grounds could "pretty quickly erupt into violence." He said it's his responsibility to ensure the school and students were safe and called reaction to the suspensions "misguided patriotism."
Several students were suspended but only after they were told no overt action deemed to be racial would be tolerated.
"It wasn't because of the flag necessarily. It was because of the fact that they had been warned before," Stumpf said.
Too little too late. They banned them all because they didn't want to look like anti-American bigots. If the U.S. flags never showed up on campus, the Hispanic flags would NEVER have been banned.
Seems the kids are getting it! Maybe better than most of our congress critters.
Really? When did the US flag stand for racism?
This principal is the person who needs to be banned.
All flags ARE NOT EQUAL.
He should ban display of the Mexican flag. Somebody needs to tell these people what country they are in. US flag - OK and in fact required by law. Mexican flag - perfectly OK - bring it to Mexico and fly it all you want.
This principal is afraid to assert control over his students.
That's your opinion.
Luckily, there is not unlimited free speech on public high schools.
Illegal aliens in our society are now so pervasive and aggressive that it's unsafe to display an American flag in America?
How proud you must be.
But no right to run education.
I never said the U.S. flag stands for racism - aren't you, in fact, upset BECAUSE this principal asserted control over his students?! I guess I don't understand your post.
Maybe if he brought some toys it would perk their interest a little bit.. :)
Ever heard of the First Amendment? If it's been used to justify burning the flag, it can certainly be used to justify students carrying/flying it.
BTW, the Stars & Stripes isn't just ANY flag to be lumped in with ALL flags - it's our OWN flag.
Cue the Star Spangled Banner - (SSB)
You know, I've thought a few times, the lyrics to that song are sort of strange. Great - but strange - the theme "Are we still alive? Are we still in the game?" It seems strangely forlorne and hopeful. Maybe it was during the olympics.
Lately that anthem has sounded a lot more prescient.
Grow up little boy. You sound like a spoiled little brat!!!
Actually this is a blessing in disquise. People are seeing what is going on, from the flag being trashed, to the mexican flag being put over the US flag. The tibe of public opinion is turning against these people.
Those in power who claim the US flag is bigoted, hateful, or refuse to allow US students to carry the flag are moving matters right along.
I have a feeling this is going to backfire on the pro-illegal crowd very soon and it will be for our benefit.
Why is that lucky?
Read this story, Mecha was allowed to hold anti American meetings at a CA high school but this kid was suspended for trying to organize a pro USA rally for the students at the same school , not even on school time, or on school grounds after first asking the school for equal time to hold a rally and had sheriffs backing for security . Furthermore not in the article, but I heard on the radio his flags were confiscated, but not the Mexican flags used in the Mecha rallies;
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1607458/posts
Don't tell me - high school students you agree with should have unlimited free speech rights during school hours?
It will probably blow up on them big time.
US FLAG PING
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.