The Baltimore County Public School system has allegedly suspended a high school student, Parker Jensen, for pushing the school to hang American flags in two classrooms that were not in compliance with state law requiring flags to be displayed in all public school classrooms. Jensen, an 18-year-old Marine Corps enlistee, has filed a lawsuit against the school district, claiming he was wrongfully suspended for his actions. Jensen had approached the Baltimore Board of Education about the missing flags, hoping to resolve the issue and finish his senior year on a positive note, but instead faced suspension and backlash from the school administration.
The issue began in February when Jensen noticed that two classrooms at Towson High School were missing American flags in violation of Maryland state law. Jensen brought up the issue with the school’s assistant principal, but it remained unresolved. He then took the matter to the Baltimore Board of Education in March, receiving no response from the school officials. Jensen felt that his persistence in standing up for patriotism may have opened others’ eyes to the importance of patriotism in school settings and in holding the government accountable.
Jensen visited the Baltimore Board of Education office in person on March 28 to file a formal complaint about the missing flags, which resulted in him being asked to leave the building by a supervisor who saw him recording video. Jensen claimed his right to record in the public building and declined to leave. Police were called to escort him out, and he was subsequently suspended from school until April 8. The lawsuit filed by Jensen contends that his rights to freedom of expression were violated by the school district’s actions and accuses BCPS of retaliation and defamation against him.
In the lawsuit, Jensen alleges that the school district promotes left-wing causes such as LGBTQ pride and immigration support while punishing him for advocating for the American flag and expressing right-wing viewpoints. Jensen faced accusations from the school principal of acting disrespectfully and being threatening during his attempts to address the missing flags. The lawsuit details how Jensen was prohibited from entering BCPS central office properties and was suspended without a hearing or opportunity to contest the suspension before it was imposed.
Jensen contends that his actions were rooted in patriotism and a belief in holding the government accountable. While he acknowledges that the experience had both positive and negative outcomes for him personally, he believes that his efforts in standing up for the American flag may have benefited the entire school community by reminding citizens of their responsibility to ensure the government upholds national symbols and values. Despite facing adversity and suspension, Jensen stands by his actions and expresses a commitment to upholding the principles that he believes in.
