Port Angeles – The Port Angeles School District has taken “corrective actions” in response to controversial t-shirts worn on the high school campus Thursday.
Photos are circulating on social media of one or more students wearing white t-shirts with a depiction of blood and the word “FREEDOM” printed on the chest.
Thursday, September 10, is the anniversary of the assassination of conservative political figure Charlie Kirk.
Many in the community are expressing outrage that the school district would allow the shirts on campus, others are citing students’ first amendment rights.
For its part, the Port Angeles School District released the following statement Friday morning:
“Port Angeles School District is aware of a photo circulating showing a student wearing clothing that did not meet District dress code expectations or the community standards we expect in our schools.
We first want to be very clear that clothing that depicts, promotes, or celebrates violence is not permitted or tolerated in our schools.
We take this issue seriously and have a responsibility to respond thoughtfully, consistently, and with appropriate due process.
Because student disciplinary matters are protected by privacy requirements, we cannot discuss actions involving individual students. We can share that appropriate corrective action is being taken consistent with district policy on this matter.
PASD supports students’ rights to express their views. However, those rights exist alongside our responsibility to maintain safe, respectful learning environments and to enforce District policies.”