High school students told to remove American flags from trucks

“When we got here, they was all yelling at us to take our flags down or they would be cut down and stuff like this,” said student LaChristopher Hebert.

Herbert and his friend Nate Maples are just two of many Mount Zion High School students who have been flying an American flag in support of their friend.

They gathered at the school a day after a Facebook post in which the student wrote, “I find it disturbing that when my mom picks me up from school in my truck flying an American flag, a staff member comes outside and tells me that we are not allowed to fly it in the schools parking lot.”

“It’s not right. This is what we live for. This is what our soldiers are fighting for, things like this,” said Herbert.

An American flag flies in front of Mount Zion High School, and many students are asking how that differs from when they fly the flag on the back of their trucks.

“We pledge that flag every day in the classroom. Why can’t we show our support outside the classrooms?” Maples asked.

The assistant superintendent for Carroll County schools says there were other issues involved besides flying the American flag.

Here’s the district's full statement:

"The primary focus of the Carroll County School System is to provide a safe, learning environment for all students. The school system does not have a policy or objection to displaying the American flag. We do request that all students and parents respect the learning environment of the school and refrain from causing disruptions on school grounds.

The administration at Mt. Zion High School had to address an issue on Tuesday morning involving students driving around in the parking lot before school in a disruptive manner playing loud music and displaying the American flag as well as the Confederate flag on the back of their vehicles.  This issue was addressed in a respectful manner with very little disturbance.

It is the goal of the Carroll County School System to provide each and every student with a quality education while also allowing students opportunities to show their patriotism for this great country in an honorable and respectful fashion."

“Were you flying the Confederate flag?”

“No. I think there were two or three that was, but they took them down as soon as we parked,” said Herbert.

Students said they plan on gathering and flying their American flags before school Friday.