This is Illegal in the US – Treason

UPDATE: This photo is NOT contrived. Fremont High School in California DID raise the flag of Palestine. I cannot find any corroborating reports for this image. But, let’s get the correct info concerning something like this.

OAKLAND, Calif. – Controversy around the conflict between Israel and Hamas persists in the Bay Area. On Tuesday, an Oakland high school faced criticism after a Palestinian flag was flown above the school.

Freelance reporter Zach Haber first posted a photo of a Palestinian flag flying over Fremont High School. It is unclear who raised the flag and how long it had been up, but many Palestinians consider this flag a symbol of their identity and freedom.  

https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-high-school-faces-controversy-after-palestinian-flag-flown

Public schools in the US are required to fly the American flag.

Flag Code

Ҥ6. (g) Time and occasions for display

The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse. (“Should” has a legal definition here of desirable, not mandatory. -DM)

§7. Position and manner of display

(c) [Applicable excerpt] No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.

(g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

State Requirements

The requirement for public schools (private schools do not have this requirement) in the United States to display the U.S. flag is governed by federal and state laws which are “supposed” to add clarity to information in Title 4 USC (Flag Code). In California specifically- 1. California Government Code § 430-434: These sections of the California Code mandate the display of the U.S. flag and the California State flag in various public places, including educational institutions.

Every state has similar laws. So even if the administration wanted to fly a foreign flag in front of the school, they are prohibited by state and federal law. The school is a government entity and is not subject to the 1st amendment.

Treason

Raising a foreign national flag in place of or without a US flag on the next pole is tantamount to treason. It’s a symbol of surrender.

Written with DeVaughn Simper, resident Vexillologist.