High School Issues Response to Student Suspended Over NRA Shirt:

Earlier this week, I shared the story of 18-year-old Flushing High School senior Andrew Eichorn with our readers.

Andrew, who is also the captain of the school’s skeet shooting team, was suspended by Associate Principal Deb Goldstein after he refused to turn his t-shirt inside out. The shirt, which Andrew received as a Christmas present, bears the NRA logo in the front and the saying “Keep Calm and Carry Guns” on the back. Ms. Goldstein claimed the shirt “promoted weapons and violence”.

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We were contacted by the school this afternoon via Twitter asking us to review an official statement from the school regarding the incident:

In response to the article, as well as phone calls from parents and alumni, the Flushing Michigan Schools issued the following press release:

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The press release reads:

The Flushing Community Schools recognizes and respects the rights of all students and families within the Flushing community, including the First Amendment right of free expression. The District’s dress code policy as currently written and implemented as it relates to this situation, was in error.   We apologize to the student and his family.  We will be meeting with the family and their representative to further address this matter constructively.  We will work to clarify the policy to assure a situation like this does not occur again. 

As we enter into the Memorial Day Weekend and honor those who have sacrificed their lives, it is fitting to reaffirm our commitment to upholding all constitutional rights, including that of free speech.

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I appreciate the school’s reconsideration of this policy and am thrilled to hear the school district respects the community’s, including their students’, First and Second Amendment rights.

Well done, FHS.

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