The Holmes family is standing by Alan’s decision to wear the shirt to school because his brother was in the Marines and it shows military pride. This was something that the principal didn’t approve of and issued an ultimatum to the student.
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Alan says he understands how people could be sensitive given recent school shootings, but says his shirt isn’t violent.
Alan spoke with KATU News about being suspended from school for wearing the patriotic t-shirt. He then met with the principal who also asked him to change.
The 8th grader suspended from school over the military shirt is baffled over the drama caused by the school.
“I just think it’s wrong for him to be stifled in that way, or for any kid to be stifled for being proud to be an American”, she said.
“I was just upset. I mean, I would’ve done the same thing”. “It’s standing for the memorial for the soldiers, who have died for us and our freedom, and I 100 percent support them because they’re supporting us”.
“In a brief statement to KGW, Gresham-Barlow School District spokeswoman Athena Vadnais wrote “…we have a policy on student dress and grooming.
An eighth-grade student said he faced in-school suspension for refusing to change out of a shirt with a gun on it.
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“It’s not promoting violence, it’s showing patriotism toward the guys we all care about”, Alan’s father Charles said. Their only response was that they weren’t opening up to the press due to student confidentiality requirements, and that images of weapons can not be on student clothing.
