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FACT BRIEF

Are American flags the only flags banned on Edmond School District campuses?

By Sue Bin Park
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NO

On Aug. 22, 2024, the Edmond School District in Edmond, Oklahoma confirmed that students are not permitted to bring any and all flags, regardless of their content or origin, to school.

A student at Edmond North High School reported that he was told to remove an American flag from his truck on Aug. 21, 2024. The district stated the long-standing rule intended to prevent disruptions and ensure safety in spaces such as parking lots, where they could damage vehicles or impair visibility.

The district emphasized the ban was not meant to disrespect the American flag, which is displayed in school buildings and at school events.

Historically, schools’ right to restrict students from displaying symbols such as flags have been upheld by cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), where the Supreme Court ruled that such displays may be prohibited if they may cause disruptions or an unsafe school environment.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
The Oklahoman Edmond North student told to remove American flag from truck draws community outcry
United States Courts Facts and Case Summary - Tinker v. Des Moines
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.