Gadsen Flag Kid sues Colorado School District for First Amendment violations.
Gadsen Flag Kid Slaps Colorado School District with Lawsuit Alleging First Amendment Violations
The Colorado School district that attempted to ban a student from wearing a Gadsden Flag patch on his bookbag is now facing a federal lawsuit for its mishandling of the situation.
In August, Jaiden Rodriguez found himself at the center of controversy at the Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, part of Harrison School District 2, when the school initially prohibited the flag patch. However, after the issue gained national attention, the school eventually reversed its decision.
During this time, a video went viral on social media, showing Jaiden’s mother educating a school official about the historical significance of the Revolutionary War flag. The official had mistakenly believed that the yellow flag with the snake and the “Don’t Tread On Me” text was associated with slavery.
NEW: 12-year old Colorado student smirks after getting kicked out of class for wearing the ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag on his backpack, teacher falsely claims the flag is linked to slavery.
This kid knows more about history than the teacher
“So they’re the reason that they do… pic.twitter.com/owTJX7LmYi
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 29, 2023
Although the school eventually allowed the flag patch, it stated that it might ban it again if any complaints were received. In addition, other patches worn by Jaiden, including one with a Firearms Policy Coalition insignia depicting a semi-automatic rifle and three Pac-Man ghosts holding guns, were banned in August and have not been permitted since, according to the Washington Times.
The Mountain States Legal Foundation has now filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jaiden.
“Jaiden’s case is significant for all Americans who are concerned about the growing trend of public schools silencing viewpoints that do not align with the ‘progressive’ political orthodoxy,” stated James Kerwin, senior counsel for the Mountain States Legal Foundation, in a news release on the foundation’s website.
“Schools should not take sides with activists who want to reinterpret everything from the past in the most negative light possible,” he added.
The foundation emphasized that the threat to ban the patch “is nothing short of a threat to censor his speech once again.”
According to the foundation, this case goes beyond just one 12-year-old student.
“Public schools are becoming the battleground for preserving a culture and practice of free speech. Jaiden’s case will establish an important precedent for holding schools accountable for their duty to uphold and protect the First Amendment,” the release stated.
The foundation also challenged the school’s claim that Jaiden’s wearing of the patch disrupted the classroom.
“Referring to American history does not substantially disrupt the learning environment. The only individuals impeding the ability of other students to learn are education bureaucrats who fail to comprehend the First Amendment,” the release argued.
“I fly it because I am proud to be an American,” Rodriguez stated, as reported by KKTV-TV. “I don’t hate America; I’m a patriot of our country.”
“Schools should not suppress freedom of speech, and they shouldn’t take extreme positions regarding historical symbols,” Kerwin emphasized.
Mountain States Legal Foundation stated on its website that “too many education bureaucrats have exploited the idea that ‘disruptions’ can be caused by speech they simply don’t like.”
The foundation criticized the school’s ban on patches related to firearms, stating that it went beyond reasonable policies prohibiting weapons or simulated weapons on campus.
“The school implemented a blanket policy that forbids any clothing or accessories that ‘refer to…weapons.’ This policy is so broad that it would even prohibit a student from displaying the official seal of the State of Colorado because it contains a battle axe and shield, or a one-dollar bill because it depicts an eagle clutching a bundle of arrows. Such a policy is far too broad to be considered acceptable under the Constitution,” the legal group argued.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against any censorship, damages, and a declaration of Jaiden’s rights.
The post Gadsen Flag Kid Slaps Colorado School District with Lawsuit Alleging First Amendment Violations appeared first on The Western Journal.
, was asked by school officials to remove a Gadsden Flag patch from his bookbag. The Gadsden Flag features a coiled rattlesnake with the phrase “Don’t Tread on Me,” and has been associated with freedom and resistance since the American Revolution. Rodriguez refused to comply with the request, stating that the patch represents his personal beliefs in defending individual liberties. As a result, the school district is now being sued for allegedly violating Rodriguez’s First Amendment rights
Gadsen Flag Kid Slaps Colorado School District with Lawsuit Alleging First Amendment Violations
The Gadsden Flag has become a symbol of American patriotism, representing the fight for freedom and individual rights. However, a Colorado school district found itself in hot water when it attempted to ban a student from wearing a Gadsden Flag patch on his bookbag. Now, the district is facing a federal lawsuit for its mishandling of the situation.
In August, Jaiden Rodriguez, a student at the Vanguard School in Colorado Springs
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