Teen Upset With High School After Being Forced To Cover Confederate Flag Patch
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Confederate flag has been a source of controversy and debate across the country lately, and now it's become an issue in a local school district where a teen says he's been told he's no longer allowed to display the symbol on his clothing.
Zachary Klaus, 16, a junior at North Allegheny High School, says he was called into an assistant principal's office this week.
Klaus says he was told there that he could no longer have a Confederate flag patch displayed on his vest, because the symbol "offended someone."
So, Klaus pinned a small white cloth over the flag, with the words "Censored by N.A. [North Allegheny]."
Klaus told KDKA-TV'S Ralph Iannotti Wednesday night, "They said I couldn't have the rebel flag cause it offended someone, and I think that's not fair, because people wear other offensive symbols, like the upside down cross and weed symbols."
Klaus' father, Matt, said that his son was doing the right thing.
"He was respectful to authorities," said Klaus' dad. "He complied with their order, but he really feels like his right to free expression and free speech is being infringed upon."
"It' just another patch. I'm not a racist," Klaus says.
The rebel flag is one of about two dozen emblems he has displayed on his vest.
"I realize that a lot of people are offended by that," says Matt Klaus. "But I don't think there was any intent to offend anybody in this. This is just a simple decoration on a vest."
KDKA called the North Allegheny School District late Wednesday, but it was not returned.
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