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Apr 23, 2008 6:01 pm US/Central
Burleson Students Lose Confederate Flag Suit
BURLESON (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by two Burleson High School students who were found in violation of school dress code and forbidden to carry purses bearing the confederate flag.
Aubrie McCallum and Ashley Thomas say their rights of free speech were violated and are already appealing the decision.
After the incident, in January of 2006, Burleson school district officials said they made the decision because the confederate symbols could be disruptive because of the racial overtones. In fact, school district officials say, after the incident was publicized, profane and racist graffiti was found on the wall of a Burleson High restroom.
Thomas says the confederate flag represents her heritage and still has the purse that started the controversy. Wednesday she told CBS 11 News, "All I really wanted from the beginning was an apology."
Wednesday BISD spokesman Richard Crummel said, "BISD has confidently stated its case for the court and is pleased that the court agrees with us. Our primary concern from the beginning was the safety and security of all students."
The Southern Legal Resource Center filed the lawsuit on behalf of the girls, asking the district to change its policy. The lawsuit claims the district selectively applied the dress code by singling out the confederate flag.
Now a student at Tarrant County Community College, Thomas reiterated her strong conviction saying, "I want everybody to have an equal chance to express themselves and understand where they came from. It's not about race and not about anything else like that. It's about my heritage… my pride."
Thomas says she's looking forward to appealing the ruling.
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