Montana teens wore Trump-themed 'white pride' shirts to pep rally
Two students at Polson High School in Polson, Montana were recently photographed wearing handmade "white power" and "white pride" shirts to a homecoming week "color war" activity. The shirts which displayed a confederate flag and showed support for Donald Trump have sparked outrage across the town and on the internet.
Controversy erupts at Polson High School https://t.co/dDDOZWeGGgpic.twitter.com/cSryiQFfpG
— KPAX Missoula News (@kpaxnews) September 30, 2016
"Color Wars" day turns controversial at Polson High School https://t.co/1FpjnyccLJ#INDIGENOUS#TAIRPpic.twitter.com/7e5EQRQWCf
— Indigenous (@AmericanIndian8) October 1, 2016
"Throughout this week we had Spirit Week, Homecoming Week. Great activities of different dress-ups throughout the week. Thursday was what we call Color Wars, which is really a class-color competition," said Polson School District Superintendent Rex Weltz.
"I'm here to tell you that as soon as the administration knew of the situation it was addressed and a couple of students were pulled in and spoke to and alleviated the concern," Weltz said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana issued a statement in regards to the situation atPolson High School's Color Wars: "While all students have First Amendment rights, schools have the authority and the responsibility to prohibit speech that is harmful to other students, and to maintain a safe learning environment. The Confederate flag and slogan 'White Power' are symbols of hate and intolerance."
The two high school juniors are facing disciplinary action, KPAX reports.