Teen Sues Over Confederate Flag Dress
AP, December 22, 2004
A teenager is suing her school district for barring her from the prom last spring because she was wearing a dress styled as a large Confederate battle flag.
The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court claims the Greenup County district and administrators violated Jacqueline Duty’s First Amendment right to free speech and her right to celebrate her heritage at predominantly white Russell High School’s prom May 1. She also is suing for defamation, false imprisonment and assault.
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She said she worked on the design for the dress for four years, though she acknowledged that some might find the Confederate flag offensive.
“Everyone has their own opinion. But that’s not mine,” she told reporters outside the courthouse. “I’m proud of where I came from and my background.”
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The Sons of Confederate Veterans has promised to help pay some of her legal expenses.
