WATCH: 12-Year-Old Kicked From Class For Wearing ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ Patch

A 12-year-old student in Colorado Springs was kicked out of his classroom for displaying a “Don’t Tread On Me” patch on his backpack. The school’s director claimed the patch was “disruptive to the classroom environment” and falsely linked it to slavery.

The patch in question features the Gadsden flag, a symbol originating from the American Revolution and a rallying cry against authoritarian rule. Yet, the school’s administration seems to have missed that history lesson.

Jaiden and his mother met with the teacher, who stated, “The reason we do not want the flag is due to its origins with slavery and the slave trade.”

Jaiden’s mother clapped back during the discussion, saying, “He takes his classes seriously. He wants to get straight A’s again.” She also pointed out the hypocrisy in the school’s policy, noting that other patches are allowed.

WATCH:

Jaiden’s mother summed it up best: “The founding fathers stood up for what they believed in against unjust laws. This is unjust.”

The phrase “Don’t Tread on Me” is commonly associated with the Gadsden Flag, which features a coiled rattlesnake and the phrase itself. The flag was designed by American general and politician Christopher Gadsden in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was originally used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag, and it has since become a symbol of American patriotism, freedom, and independence.

The rattlesnake was chosen as a symbol because it is native to the American colonies and has a unique characteristic: it gives a warning (by rattling its tail) before striking. This was seen as a metaphor for the American colonies’ relationship with Great Britain at the time, as the colonies were asking for their grievances to be addressed but were prepared to defend themselves if necessary.

REACTIONS:

I thought the same thing. He's confident and knows he is in the right.

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 29, 2023

Pay the Kid his wage, he is the professional.

— Kurt (@Kurt59879280) August 29, 2023

Imagine a teacher not knowing the difference between America's Revolutionary War and the Civil War. That teacher should spend more time on the kids falling behind. Instead of harassing a straight-A student over a patch.

— Mallorie Steele (@ItsSoHardNotTo) August 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/stautistic/status/1696545917334405442?s=20

Great job by the family, in handling this matter in a professional manner. You can clearly tell the school employee is not educated on what the flag stands for. The boy who wore the patch defended himself by mentioning that other students can wear 🌈 badges. Why can’t this boy…

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) August 29, 2023