January 1, 12-Year-Old Patriot Kicked Out of Class Over “Don’t Tread on Me” Flag [Video]

In a recent turn of events, a middle school in Colorado had to backtrack on its decision to bar a student from displaying the iconic Gadsden flag – commonly known with the emblem “Don’t Tread on Me” – on his backpack.

The flag, which has historical significance dating back to the American Revolution, became the center of a heated debate when the Vanguard School in Colorado Springs raised objections against one of its students, 12-year-old Jaiden, for proudly showing it.

Understanding the Symbol: The Gadsden flag, often recognized by its coiled rattlesnake design and the defiant “Don’t Tread on Me” motto, originated in the Revolutionary War era.

Contrary to certain misconceptions, it serves as a symbol of American independence and resistance against tyranny, rather than a nod to more controversial issues.

The Controversy: The incident caught the public eye when a video circulated showing school administrators chastising Jaiden over his backpack flag patch.

School representatives argued that the flag had ties to “slavery and the slave trade.”

Furthermore, in their communications with Jaiden’s mother, they drew connections between the Gadsden flag and “hate groups,” the Confederate flag, and even “white supremacy groups.”

The school later attempted to clarify its stance, noting that the Gadsden flag patch was among other patches depicting semi-automatic weapons.

While the school did recognize Jaiden’s compliance in removing these firearm-related patches, they remained ambiguous about their insistence on the removal of the Gadsden flag, especially since it does not infringe upon the school’s dress code.

Meet 12yo Jaiden who was kicked out of class yesterday in Colorado Springs for having a Gadsden flag patch, which the school claims has "origins with slavery."

The school's director said via email that the patch was "disruptive to the classroom environment."

Receipts in the 🧵 pic.twitter.com/qQ8jK1zSpR

— Connor Boyack 📚 (@cboyack) August 29, 2023

Resolution and Acknowledgment: Given the mounting pressure and scrutiny, the Vanguard School board of directors convened an emergency meeting. In a subsequent email to parents, which was shared with TheBlaze, the board expressed:

“From Vanguard’s inception, we have staunchly backed our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the structured freedom that every American has cherished for nearly two and a half centuries. The Vanguard School acknowledges the Gadsden flag’s pivotal role in history. This incident has reminded us to once again underline our unwavering commitment to classical education, which aligns with these foundational American values.”

As a result, Jaiden can now proudly display his Gadsden flag patch on his backpack. His mother, Eden Rodriguez, applauded her son’s resilience, expressing her pride in his decision to “stand up for his rights.”

This incident serves as a poignant reminder that understanding and preserving historical symbols, especially those embedded in the fabric of American history, is vital.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

---

Source