BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Three students from Bloomington High School North arrived to school Thursday wearing confederate flag apparel, despite the school’s ban of the flag put in place on Wednesday.
The students were asked by school officials to change their clothing. Two students complied, and the other was sent home because they refused.
The principal at Bloomington North High School sent out a letter Wednesday announcing the ban after several students were wearing the flags as a cape.
RELATED | Confederate flags banned at Bloomington school after students wear them as capes
Students met with administrators to voice concerns about their peers wearing the flags at school.
In the letter, he explained the district's reasoning for banning the flags at school.
"The Supreme Court Case Tinker vs. Des Moines established the litmus test when schools have the right to limit students' expression. That case established the standard that when students' actions cause substantial disruption to the educational environment, the school can intervene and limit the students' expression."
The leader of a student group that advocates for LGBTQ rights and safety said it was a special moment for them today, when administrators issued the ban.
"Many people in the room broken into tears, " said Bloomington North Senior Emma Cannon, "I got a bit emotional myself, but there were people in the room who started crying because it was just a very emotionally charged moment. Because this is just a fight that has been happening for so long at Bloomington North and we finally feel like our requests have been answered."
Cannon said she hopes the ban spurs conversations and education about the actual history of the flag.
