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.
"ALL flags, not just American, were banned for school safety."
PC Liberal anti-American mental disease. When the American Flag is banned, anytime, anywhere inside America, because of "safety concerns", then something is VERY WRONG.
You're entitled to "think" what you want too.
Since when should American student's be denied the right to carry their flags. It appears that Mexican-American student's were imposing their right of a "Mexican" flag, to avoid conflict they banned both.
Mexican-American student's, aren't they proud to carry their American flag?
There is something so wrong with this picture.
Perhaps the kids should rally around the flag pole, this is after all a public school, therefore there should still be a flag on the property. Circle the flag, and remain until they allow them to carry the US flag. Would make a great photo op at the very least.
Actually, the First Amendment does not allow "fighting words" either - deal with it.
No, sweetheart, they are just suspicious of you when you identify with a foreign country and show disloyalty to the US while living here.
Nothing "racist" about it.
Were there lots of American students carrying flags before HR 4437 was passed?
Good one.
Nice cat - can you answer my question now: how many do I have to answer before I am not a "hit and run" troll?
According to the principal, they were banned for school safety. You don't believe that?
Maybe they should all bring flags and get suspended. It is all so insane.
The teachers had to have had some involvement in the Mexican rallies.
Parents need to get off their behinds and get involved.
I knew posting on FR there would be a knowledgeable person on this topic. My education only extends to the commonly performed version. Thanks for the cheer up.
Kitty very hungry. Kitty like you ... don't know why ....
Exactly. ...the direct consequence of a fearful, apologetic, guilty, liberal mindset.
Considering the history of the poem, it is. I think my kids and I will review the entire poem. It is still chilling.
"Were there lots of American students carrying flags before HR 4437 was passed?"
Do you carry an American flag with you every day? When would you carry an American Flag? Maybe on the day you wish to express your Patriotism, love for America?
Yep. To appease criminals and their apologists, who's agenda is to make it dangerous to display an American flag.
The problem is very simple. The no flag rule was instituted AFTER the US Flag showed up. Then the principal somehow connected the flag presence with racist remarks or behaviour. He did not reach these conclusions about no flags prior to the US flag showing up, He did not make racist associations with flags until the US flag showed up. No student was suspended for bringing a Mexican Flag, nor was their demonstration or protest tainted, by the principal with the accusation of racism. It isn't appropriate safety control, no, that would have started with the principal banning flags when the first one showed up. He didn't do that, because he, like others, are afraid of minorities, afraid that they will hurl the dreaded "R" word at them. No, Mr Stumpf would never risk that, no he waits until the white guys show up and then clicks his heels and beats his chest about racism. We have all seen this before, the brave and courageous Mr Stumpf's of the world.
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