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A team of high school cheerleaders in North Carolina was put on probation Monday for posing with a pro-president Trump banner during a football match.
Members of the North Stanly High School team posed for pictures with the "Trump 2020: Make America Great Again" flag during a match on August 30 on "American Night," in which the Students were encouraged to dress patriotically, reported Stanly News & Press. .
A photo of seven girls wearing the red, white and blue uniform and two boys wearing a red cap "MAGA" with the banner – was broadcast on social media.
Some residents asked why the political message was allowed. All high schools in North Carolina have a policy that prohibits students from posting political posters on campus or at school events.
District officials said the next day that the act had not been endorsed by the school nor by the staff and that one student had brought the banner and took the picture before the match .
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association reprimanded the team on Monday, but it did not "set the conditions for probation" – and the team should continue to applaud, the school district said in a statement.
"Friday night football games should be focused on our students – players, cheerleaders, group members – not politics," said Stanly County Schools. "For this reason, we hope that the situation will be solved and that our student athletes will be able to live a beautiful autumn season."
Probation – which can last up to a year – is not a form of punishment, but "a notice of behavior or action contrary to the policy of the NCHSAA Handbook or contrary to the expectations of sportsmanship and appropriate behavior, "said Commissioner Que Tucker at the McClatchy Press Group. .
Some residents were nevertheless scandalized by the reprimand.
"I'm totally shocked by this," wrote one person on Facebook. "No matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, you should have the right to openly support the President of the United States !!"
Others have created a Facebook event calling on supporters to attend this week's game in support of the team.
"Please, come and help me show the school and the NCHSAA that freedom of expression is not dead," wrote the organizer. . "Please bring all your Trump and MAGA equipment and put our support behind the cheerleaders of North Stanly High School."
District officials said the policy against political protests on campuses or school events "does not prohibit students from making their voices heard or participating in Protected First Amendment activities."
"Because cheerleaders wore the uniform and acted as representatives of the school, the billboard display could be perceived as the school or school system endorsing a political campaign ", said the officials.
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