Originally published August 30, 2023 8:05 am PDT
A recent incident involving a 12-year-old boy, Jaiden, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has drawn widespread attention.
Jaiden faced disciplinary action at school for sporting a Gadsden flag patch on his backpack.
However, after a video showcasing his ejection from class for this act went viral, the school appears to have changed its stance, according to a report from Fox News.
The video, which has now been viewed over 8.9 million times on X (previously Twitter), was shared by Connor Boyack, president of the Libertas Institute in Utah.
“We won!” Boyack announced on X, emphasizing the importance of documenting encounters with government entities. “Had Jaiden’s mom not recorded the video, this wouldn’t have got nearly the attention that it did.”
The clip unveils a meeting between Jaiden, his mother, and a school administrator.
The school’s rationale for its initial response is laid out in the video by the unnamed staff member: “So, the reason that they do not want the flag – the reason we do not want the flag displayed – is due to its origins with slavery and slave trade.”
This statement was countered by Jaiden’s mother, who pointed out that the flag “has nothing to do with slavery, that’s like the Revolutionary War patch that was displayed when they were fighting the British.”
She inquired if there might be confusion with the Confederate flag.
Further backing for Jaiden’s stance came from a statement issued by the Vanguard School.
“From Vanguard’s founding we have proudly supported our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the ordered liberty that all Americans have enjoyed for almost 250 years,” the communication reads.
The school continued, emphasizing that they recognize the “historical significance of the Gadsden flag and its place in history” and reiterated their commitment “to a classical education in support of these American principles.”
Interestingly, the issue also captured the attention of Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis.
He publicly endorsed the Gadsen flag, describing it as “a proud symbol of the American revolution and a iconic warning to Britain or any government not to violate the liberties of Americans.”
