The Baltimore County Public School system is facing legal action after allegedly suspending a high school student for advocating the display of American flags in classrooms, as mandated by Maryland state law. PARKER JENSEN, an 18-year-old Marine Corps enlistee and senior at Towson High School, filed a lawsuit against the district, claiming wrongful suspension and retaliation for his efforts to address the absence of flags in two of his classrooms.
Jensen, who also serves as the quarterback and captain of the Towson High School football team, first noticed the missing flags in February. After raising the issue with the school’s assistant principal and receiving no resolution, he escalated the matter to the Baltimore Board of Education in March. His attorney, SARAH SPITALNICK, stated that Jensen had hoped for a straightforward resolution but was instead met with punitive measures that disrupted his senior year.
“This experience has impacted me personally in both positive and negative ways,” Jensen told Fox News Digital. “On the negative side, I was suspended and trespassed unlawfully, had my character unfairly defamed by my administration, and was treated poorly by my teacher upon returning to school. However, on the positive side, I believe my persistence in standing up for patriotism may have opened others’ eyes to the importance of patriotism in our school systems.”
The lawsuit alleges that Jensen was escorted out of the Board of Education building by police after recording his visit to file a formal complaint. According to the complaint, a supervisor demanded he stop recording and leave the premises, despite his presence in a public area and lack of disruptive behavior. Five officers responded to the scene, falsely claiming that only credentialed journalists could record in the building.
Spitalnick emphasized that Jensen had every right to record in a public building and accused school officials of lying about the legality of his actions. “They had the police just escort him out. The police also made statements that only reporters can film within their property, which is completely false,” she said.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) declined to comment on the lawsuit but noted that Towson High School was already in the process of placing flags in the classrooms in question. The district also disputed claims of inaction.
The lawsuit further accuses BCPS of violating Jensen’s First and 14th Amendment rights, defamation, and retaliation for his expression of patriotism. It highlights that the school has promoted LGBTQ pride flags and immigration support materials while penalizing Jensen for advocating the display of the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jensen’s suspension, which lasted until April 8, barred him from attending prom and raised concerns about its impact on his grades and graduation. The complaint also alleges that Jensen faced retaliation for his support of conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
The case has drawn national attention, with supporters rallying behind Jensen for his stand on patriotism and accountability. As the lawsuit progresses, it underscores broader debates about free speech, student rights, and the role of patriotism in public education.
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Sources: Fox News Digital, FOX 45.