School Told Student to Take American Flag off Truck, See How Bad It Backfired

A school asked one of their students to remove the American and POW flag form his vehicle. Instead of taking them down, he started a protest. 

Peyton Robinson, a senior at York County High School in South Carolina has the American and POW-MIA flag attached  in the bed of his truck. The flags have been there for quite sometime and he flys them to honor his family members that have served and are serving in the military. So the student was shocked when a school administrator pulled him into the office to explain to him that he needed to take the flags down.

Robinson told WBTV, "He said, ‘We’re having some issues. Some people were complaining about the flags in your truck."

The administrator also allegedly said that the flags could possibly be seen as offensive and that he would have to take them down before school the next day. But when Robinson got to his truck after school that day, the flags had already been unscrewed and were laying in the back of his truck.

Robinson explained why he didn't believe that his flags were offensive,

“I’d understand if it was the Confederate flag or something that might offend somebody,” he added. “I wouldn’t do that. But an American flag — that’s our country’s flag. I have every right to do it. I don’t see a safety issue. I mean, I understand it’s a big flag — it’s 4 by 6 — but nobody has ever complained about it being in their way or anything.”

Peyton Robinson then went to his Facebook page and explained to his friends and family exactly what was happening. Fellow students agreed with him and didn't believe that the flags were offensive. They all decided that on Thursday morning, they were going to all fly flags on their vehicles, in solidarity with Robinson. Instead of it being just students that morning at school, the public also came to show their support. 70 vehicles drove into school with their flags waving, along with friends, family and a group of veterans who all saluted Robinson and his flag waving friends.

By Thursday afternoon, the school released a statement, allowing American flags to be flown on vehicles:

"Due [sic] to the outstanding display of patriotism through peaceful demonstration, it is apparent to us that many are not happy about this policy," the statement read. "School officials have reviewed the standing policy regarding flags and have decided that an exception will be made for the American flag, as long as the size of the flag(s) does not create a driving hazard."

Peyton Robinson and his friends can now all fly their American flags whenever they want at school. You can check out video of the students driving into school above.