East Central High School senior Cameron Blasek unexpectedly found himself at the center of a viral social media story this week when he fought back against his school for trying to ban the American flag.
Blasek has Old Glory on the back of his blue Dodge 4×4.
“The flag itself represents this country, this beautiful country that we live in,” Blasek said. “It also represents the people who fought their lives for it. And I think that’s a really hard thing to talk about, but I think it’s a big thing.”
According to ABC News affiliate WCPO 9 in Cincinnati, “Blasek said he was pulled aside by his counselor and vice principal. He said they told him he needed to remove the flag from the back of the truck because it was a violation of school rules.”
“Honestly, I was shocked,” he said. “I read through the… 2023-2024 Handbook, and the word ‘flag’ wasn’t even mentioned in the parking lot or driving section. The only section it’s mentioned in is the flag-twirling section.”
Blasek refused to remove the flag from his truck. The following day, more students showed up with the American flag on their cars.
“There was a huge support group there that believed and stood for the same thing that I did,” he said. “I was kind of shocked by that.”
Friday afternoon, principal Tom Black sent a note to parents to “offer clarification” and “address recent concerns and confusions.”
“I am pleased to inform you that we are allowing the display of the U.S. flag by students in the parking lot,” the letter stated.
In an email to WCPO 9, Black clarified that “no high school staff member or administrators stated or insinuated that the U.S. Flag was offensive, nor has there ever been a complaint received about the U.S. Flag.”
[elementor-template id="1446"]“The U.S. Flag is displayed in the front of our school and in every classroom. We begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Clearly, we do not consider the U.S. Flag offensive,” he said.
“I think everybody gets offended over something, That it doesn’t mean what everybody says it does.” Blasek said. “This flag represents our country and the people who died for it and fought for it. And I respect that with my whole heart.”
Watch the story below:
Cameron Blasek was told by East Central High School (@EastCentralHS) to remove the American flag from his truck.
The next day dozens of students showed up with American flags on their cars to stand with him!
MAKE THIS HERO GO VIRAL! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/GNt8wkwBqr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 10, 2024