Indiana student Cameron Blasek, a senior at East Central High School, is speaking out after saying he was asked to remove the American flag from his truck.
“The flag itself represents this country, this beautiful country we live in,” Blasek said in a statement. Interview with WCPO. “It’s also a symbol of the people who risked their lives to fight for it. And I think that’s a really hard thing to talk about, but I think that’s a big deal.”
Blasek said he was asked by his counselor and assistant principal to remove the American flag from his truck, but he refused.
“I said, ‘No, that’s not going to happen. It’s impossible,'” Blasek said.
New York would-be arsonists try to burn us with Israeli flags
Cameron Blasek, a senior at East Central High School, spoke out after saying he was asked to remove the American flag from his truck. (Getty Images)
WCPO reports that the flag “conforms to U.S. flag regulations.”
Blasek said he read the school’s handbook and determined there were no rules preventing flags from being displayed on cars.
“I read the Essentials 2023-2024 Handbook and I didn’t even see the word ‘flag’ in the parking or driving sections. The only section mentioned is the flag-twirling section.” he explained.
Soon after, some people placed American flags on their cars.
“I was kind of shocked by that because there was a huge support group there that believed and supported the same things that I did,” Blasek said.
Online posts about Blasek’s story went viral. Total number of views: 6 million times Just X.
California city bans non-governmental flags, angering LGBTQ groups
WCPO reports that the flag “conforms to U.S. flag regulations.” (St. Petersburg)
On Friday, Principal Tom Black sent a message to parents in response to the Star-Spangled Banner controversy.
“We are pleased to inform you that we will allow students to display the American flag in our parking lots,” the letter said, according to WCPO.
Black also said that “no staff or administrators at the high school have ever said or implied that the Star-Spangled Banner is offensive, nor have we received any complaints regarding the Star-Spangled Banner.”
“I think everyone gets angry when someone says something different than what they say. This flag represents our country and the people who died for it and fought for it, and I I really respect that.”
Black told Fox News Digital in a statement that East Central High School has had a policy for several years “no flags on vehicles in the parking lot.”
“This rule was never about the U.S. flag, but about all flags affixed to vehicles,” Black wrote. “This is due to potential safety issues with visibility and concerns about 500 to 600 teenage drivers leaving at the same time during layoffs, as well as flags that are inappropriate for schools. .”
Black wrote that he reminded students of the existing rules. However, after consulting with the superintendent on Friday, it was decided that schools could “allow the use of the U.S. flag, with the authority to restrict other flags deemed inappropriate for the school.”
“On Friday, I met with most of the students and informed them that they were allowed to display the American flag, but that they should be respectful and follow the American flag regulations,” Black wrote. “This predates the original social media post. The inaccurate story is that he changed his mind due to social media backlash. As the timeline makes clear, that is not true.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We regret any confusion caused and are working diligently to clarify the issue with our community,” Black said in a statement.
