School Bans Confederate Flag

On Thursday, Sep 27, 2007, High School Principal, Brian Cashman banned
Confederate flags, shirts and symbols from Susquehannock High School.
The high school is located outside of Glen Rock, a small community located
in southern York County, Pennsylvania. Cashman banned the Confederate flag
symbol after students had complained to him that someone had taken down
their Confederate flags from the backs of their pickup trucks and stuffed
the flags into a tailpipe, According to Southern Schools District Supt.
Thomas Hensley, Cashman banned the symbol because it had become disruptive.
Hensley remarked that "We are very concerned about freedom of speech and
student rights. But the students cannot engage in conduct that is disruptive
to our learning environment or creates an environment where our students
feel harassed or threatened."

Witnesses stated that 8 to 10 students defied Cashman's instructions to
remove all Confederate symbols from the school campus by returning to the
parking lot after school where they made a commotion, including driving
recklessly through the parking lot waving the Confederate flag.
Southern Regional Police were called to investigate the disturbance at
3:15 p.m. Thursday. Police Chief James Childs III said at least five
vehicles were involved, including two which had Confederate flags on poles
in the back of a pickup truck. Childs went on to say, "It is not illegal
to fly a Confederate flag, but police have to be vigilant to the negative
reaction the flag has by some."

Police and school officials are investigating if any racial slurs or
taunts were shouted. School officials are also looking for the students
who vandalized the trucks and disturbed personal property Both Childs
and Hensley stressed that racial intolerance will not be accepted. Childs
said harassment charges could be filed if racial slurs were made.
Hensley said there is no indication of racial tension.