Principal Bans American Flag from Football Games out of ‘Respect’

The American flag is being banned at yet another high school in the United States this week. This time, it’s happening in South Carolina.

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (WSPA) – The principal of Travelers Rest High School released a statement Saturday afternoon after complaints on social media after a students were not allowed to bring American flags to a football game Friday night.

Saturday evening Greenville County Schools released a statement saying the district “encourages and supports the appropriate display of the United States Flag in accord with the United States Flag Code.”

The statement went on to say that the district, “[does] not condone the use of the Flag to shield unsportsmanlike or inappropriate conduct.”

Read the full statement below.

Several social media posts state that students were denied entry to the Travelers Rest/Berea football game because they were trying to bring Americans flags inside the stadium.
Principal Lou Lavely said in his statement that his decision was to “not allow the American flag to be used in an improper ‘taunting,’ unsportsmanlike manner.”

Later, Berea High School’s Principal Mike Noel released a statement in support of Lavely. Read his full statement below.

Travelers Rest Police Chief Lance Crowe also released a statement on Sunday explaining his officer’s involvement in the flag matter. Read his full statement below.

Read Lavely’s full statement:

“Many of you have inquired about posts on social media making reference to events at last night’s Travelers Rest/Berea football game. Below is the official statement from TRHS Principal Lou Lavely.

Some events at last evening’s football game have resulted in concerns being raised in our community. I am writing to assure that any decisions made regarding American flags being permitted into the game were made in the best interests of all attending the game and in the spirit of patriotism and respect for our flag…”

Apparently, protecting “respect for our flag” equates to a ban according to this principal. That’s not protecting the stars and stripes, it’s protecting the feelings of the anti-America fringe.

Source: WNCN

After a nationwide uproar the principal reversed his decision: