School Official Tells Student He Can’t Fly U.S. Flag on His Truck

School officials told a senior at a high school in South Carolina that he could not fly his American flag and POW-MIA flag in the bed of his truck.

“He said, ‘We’re having some issues. Some people were complaining about the flags in your truck,’” said Peyton Robinson.

The school administrator told him the flags could “possibly” be offensive and he needed to remove them before going back to school.

Later, a school official unscrewed the bolt on the flag and laid them in the bed of the truck without telling Robinson.

”I was pretty mad,” he told WBTV. “I don’t see how it’s a problem. Nobody has ever complained about it before.

“I’d understand if it was the Confederate flag or something that might offend somebody,” he added. “I wouldn’t do that. But an American flag — that’s our country’s flag. I have every right to do it. I don’t see a safety issue. I mean, I understand it’s a big flag — it’s 4 by 6 — but nobody has ever complained about it being in their way or anything.”

Superintendent Vernon Prosser had said the flag could have blocked the view of other drivers.

That week, however, about 70 students showed up to school with flags waving from their cars and trucks.

School officials quickly changed the policy.

“Do [sic] to the outstanding display of patriotism through peaceful demonstration, it is apparent to us that many are not happy about this policy,” the school said in a statement. “School officials have reviewed the standing policy regarding flags and have decided that an exception will be made for the American flag, as long as the size of the flag(s) does not create a driving hazard.”

According to the highway patrol, the students’ flags are legal.