12-Year-Old Student Removed from Class in Colorado Springs Over Gadsden Flag Patch

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 29, 2023 – A 12-year-old student named Jaiden was removed from class yesterday for wearing a patch depicting the Gadsden flag, according to Connor Boyack, President of Libertas Institute. The school’s director claimed via email that the patch has “origins with slavery” and was “disruptive to the classroom environment.”

The Gadsden flag, commonly identified by its yellow field and a coiled rattlesnake with the phrase “Don’t Tread On Me,” has historical roots dating back to the American Revolution. It has been used to express various forms of social and political commentary over the years.

The incident has sparked debate over the appropriateness of historical symbols in educational settings and the balance between individual expression and maintaining an undistracted learning environment. Further details about the school’s official policy or any pending actions related to the incident have not been released at this time.