Opinion ID: 1442370
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Enforcement of the Ban on Racially Divisive Symbols

Text: According to Lafon, between August 2005 and March 2006, the school witnessed over 452 documented violations of the dress code policy ... twenty-three (23) of which involved the wearing of the `Confederate flag' by students. J.A. at 51 (Lafon Aff. at ¶ 4). Plaintiff-Appellant Barr declares: On or about September 1, 2005, to express pride in my southern heritage, I wore a T-shirt to school bearing a small image of the Confederate flag, a picture of two dogs, and the words Guarding our Southern Heritage on the back. I was confronted by Defendant Lafon. Prior to my encounter with Mr. Lafon, no student or teacher had commented on my shirt that day. I was informed by Mr. Lafon that items displaying the Confederate flag were banned at William Blount High School. Defendant Lafon informed me that I had to turn the shirt inside out or take it off. Lafon informed me that if I refused to remove the shirt I would be suspended from school. J.A. at 26-27 (Barr Decl. at ¶ 4). Plaintiff-Appellant Chris White declares that she wore a shirt with an image of the Confederate flag to school in January 2006. J.A. at 24 (Chris White Decl. at ¶ 4). [4] A teacher told Chris White that the shirt violated school policy because of the image of the flag. J.A. at 24-25 (Chris White Decl. at ¶ 4). The teacher told Chris White to cover the shirt with a jacket for the rest of the day or return home and be suspended. J.A. at 25 (Chris White Decl. at ¶ 4). We note that the declarations of Derek Barr and Chris White contained in the joint appendix are unsigned.