When 18-year-old York Comprehensive High School senior Peyton Robinson was told by his school that he was no longer allowed to fly his American Flag and POW-MIA flag on his pickup truck, he knew he had to do something.

Robinson said his school told him, “We’re having some issues. Some people were complaining about the flags in your truck, and the flags could possibly be offensive. We need you to take them down before your return to school on Thursday.”

The school didn’t give Robinson the option of removing the flags himself. Instead, Robinson claims a school administrator unscrewed the bolts securing the flags to his truck and laid them in the bed “when I wasn’t even there.”

Superintendent Vernon Prosser told WSOC-TV that the school feared Robinson’s flags would block the views of other motorists and cause a car crash. By the end of the day, the school was telling Robinson that his flags were a safety concern, but he wasn’t having any of it. Robinson’s relatives have served our country in the military, so what his school did hit particularly close to home for him.

“I was pretty mad, I don’t see how it’s a problem,” Robinson said. “Nobody has ever complained about it before. I’d understand if it was the Confederate flag or something that might offend somebody, I wouldn’t do that. But an American flag — that’s our country’s flag. I have every right to do it. I don’t see a safety issue. I mean, I understand it’s a big flag — it’s 4 by 6 — but nobody has ever complained about it being in their way or anything.”

Robinson took to Facebook to tell the world what happened that night, and his friends at school were livid. The next day, they brought their own flags to school to stand in solidarity with Robinson.

“I’ll keep fighting, I’m not letting it go; I won’t go down without a fight,” Robinson said Wednesday night.

By Thursday morning, there were over 70 vehicles with American flags on them in the school parking lot. American veterans stood at the school entrance to salute those coming in.

After a few hours of the peaceful yet powerful protest, Principal Christopher Black changed his mind.

“Do to the outstanding display of patriotism through peaceful demonstration, it is apparent to us that many are not happy about this policy,” Black said. “School officials have reviewed the standing policy regarding flags and have decided that an exception will be made for the American flag, as long as the size of the flag(s) does not create a driving hazard.”

Robinson’s dad told the press he is proud of his son, and that he has encouraged him to always display the American flag regardless of what anyone says.

Video of this patriotic student who stood firm for the flag is below.

In this era of professional athletes kneeling during the National Anthem, it’s heartwarming to see teens who still understand the importance of patriotism and the American spirit.

Share this if you support these students!

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