She noted that the “majority” of the students were then given one day of out of school suspension for violating the district dress code.
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More than 20 students at a Virginia high school were suspended Thursday after wearing clothes emblazoned with Confederate flags, according to multiple media reports. The newspaper notes that the Confederate symbol is also banned on vehicles at the school.
Students have to sign a contract agreeing not to display the flag to receive a school parking pass. While some students complied, those who did not were placed in in-school suspension – the standard disciplinary procedure for this type of infraction. The dress code specifically bars students from wearing any clothing that could “reflect adversely on persons due to race” and specifies that “clothing with Confederate flag symbols” falls in that category.
WSLS-TV in Roanoke quoted a Montgomery County school spokeswoman as saying the Confederate flag was deemed offensive by school officials and that the suspensions were ordered as a result.
This comes as a new policy was put in place preventing students from displaying the Confederate flag or decal on their cars.
State data show the school has about 1,100 students.
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While some individuals and groups consider the Confederate Flag to be a symbol or racism and oppression, others feel the flag represents southern heritage, southern pride, and reverence for states’ rights.
