How do you feel about this? Easley High School student gets a parking ticket for flying a POW/MIA flag.

2015-09-03T18:37:45-04:00

I guess this school didn't get the memo that the POW/MIA flag is a nationally recognized flag. What a great example this high school is setting for our future leaders. Maybe you will agree, but I don't. It was on his personal car which was parked on school grounds. I understand that, but since it is Nationally recognized flag, I think the school went too far.

A high school student got a $10 parking ticket for flying an illegal flag on his car. That flag was the POW/MIA flag;
am only 17 I don’t know everything but my dad raised me to know right from wrong and this is just a new level of low! They say we can only fly American, state, or school flag. But what I don’t understand is why I can fly an American flag but I can’t show my support for our troops. And this wasn’t the first day I’ve flew the flag I’ve been flying it for a week or two….

Easley High School in South Carolina, where this happened, was in the national news recently when they forbade American flags on students’ vehicles on school property. According to the local news, they have a policy now;

Below is the statement that school officials say was sent to parents:

“It has been the practice at EHS since the beginning of this school year to ask students to secure any flags or poles on vehicles before they came onto school property or left their cars. This was an effort to prevent the possible damage to personal property while on school grounds. On Thursday, August 27, a student requested that a staff member help in the removal of a zip tie. This has been incorrectly reported as a staff member damaging a flag. Several parents and students did ask about the reasoning and correctly pointed out that an American flag should be allowed to fly at any time. The procedure was changed to allow the American, State, and School flags. Students were notified on the same day.”

Last week, they made it clear that the Confederate flag is banned.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 3 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-09-03T18:39:39-04:00

Currently many are claiming that the POW/MIA flag is a racist symbol. Obviously more far left bullshit but isn't everything racist today?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 3 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-09-03T18:54:09-04:00

Odd but if consistently applied with tickets for rainbow and Confederate flags, etc. it would be typically within school district policy authority. It's required by law to be flown on 6 separate days on military installations but there's no provision for what can and cannot be done with it elsewhere.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Sep 3 at 2015 7:45 PM

2015-09-03T19:45:57-04:00

It was put out to the parents and students before the school year started so he knew it was not one of the flags allowed. They did this instead of banning ALL flags on vehicles while on school grounds. I feel this kid is just trying to push the schools buttons and it will cost him $10.00 each time.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 3 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-09-03T21:40:02-04:00

It Bad

Response by COL Charles Williams made Sep 4 at 2015 12:07 AM

2015-09-04T00:07:44-04:00

School teachers are likely not going to form a Bill O'Reilly book club....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 1:00 AM

2015-09-04T01:00:07-04:00

It's their parking lot, so they get to make the rules. They allow the American, State and school flags to be flown.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Sep 4 at 2015 1:51 AM

2015-09-04T01:51:45-04:00

We should start a campaign to pay for the kid's tickets and have him fly it every day.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-09-04T13:57:31-04:00

Try to get POW/MIA flag added to list of approved flags, until then comply with rules or accept consequences.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 4 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-09-04T14:13:36-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Don't pay the fine and file action in the Federal District Court for violation of Freedom of Speech. Schools are generally allowed to impose controls on student speech, but this is on a students car in a school controlled parking lot, so it may not have been litigated.
http://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/what-does

What Does Free Speech Mean?

Among other cherished values, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech. Learn about what this means.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-09-04T14:40:20-04:00

Maybe parents should be more involved in the school politics...