Flag ban at South Carolina high school reversed
TRAVELERS REST, S.C. - School officials at Travelers Rest High School have reversed a ban on students waving the American flag at football games.
The school’s principal Lou Lavely made the decision to ban the use of flags at a game against Berega High School, which is predominately Hispanic. He said he didn’t want the flags to be used to taunt Berega’s students.
But after receiving a number of complaints about the policy, the decision was reversed.
In a statement, school officials said “Today, after meeting with Travelers Rest student and faculty leadership, and with the benefit of time to reflect, Mr. Lavely has reached a different decision. He based this decision on current students’ request that he judge them on their own merits and not based on the actions of past students. As a result, effective immediately, students are allowed to bring the American Flag to any and all Travelers Rest High School events. Instead of restricting possession of the flag, the TRHS administration will, if needed, address the misuse of the Flag, or any other inappropriate behavior, on an individual basis.”