Until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A central Minnesota school district has changed a policy that banned students from displaying flags or banners in their vehicles in the school parking lot after some students protested. 

The guideline in the student handbook at Rocori High School in Cold Spring was a response to some students displaying the Confederate flag in their vehicles last year.

But some students objected to the new policy, saying it prevented them from displaying the American flag. A group of students showed their displeasure on Tuesday, the first day of classes, by showing up to school with U.S. flags in their vehicles.

Attempt to ban Confederate flag display creates American flag controversy

Rocori administrators met with the students to discuss the concerns. According to a statement from Superintendent Scott Staska, the handbook guideline will be withdrawn. 

Student leaders offered to support an approach that allows American flags to be displayed on vehicles while helping to encourage respect for others, the statement read.

"The students want their peers to feel safe and comfortable in school and understand that other flags can be disruptive and harmful or cause emotional responses in others," it read.

Staska said the situation helped raise awareness about the meaning and power of symbols and the effect they have on others.

Education News

Kirsti Marohn

Author

School officials announced the ban after some students flew the Confederate flag in their cars last year. But students objected to the new policy, saying it prevented them from displaying the American flag.

Dozens of American flags fly from a row of student vehicles.

After protest, Rocori school district reverses ban on flag display

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox