“He was just concerned at first that there could be a problem,” Inskeep said of Alexander. “After we talked about it, it is the kids’ First Amendment right.”
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Bowers’ mother had asked students to wear the shirts, but were then told by school administrators that if they didn’t take of the shirts, they would have to go home, Inskeep confirmed.
“If those shirts wind up causing a problem or disruption or danger to other kids, then the principal has the right, at that point, to ask them to remove them,” Inskeep said. “At this point they’re expressing themselves as per the first amendment and we’re honoring that.”
“Common sense took over and we acted appropriately,” he continued.
Bowers, who was a junior at Fairmont, was killed in September after an ongoing feud involving other students at a party, led to gunfire near Alterfest. Bowers was 16.
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