Bay City school closes after Confederate flag-bearing trucks gather outside it

AUBURN, Mich. — Officials say a potential threat has forced the closure of a central Michigan high school where students parked their pickups adorned with Confederate flags outside for two days.

Bay City Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Bigelow tells The Bay City Times he has canceled classes Thursday at Bay City Western High after being informed about rumors that people planned to confront students.

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WJRT-TV reports Bigelow said in a message to parents that the "unsubstantiated" rumors involved threats from outside the school district.

Six trucks flying or painted with the Confederate battle flag parked outside of the school on Tuesday and were joined by others on Wednesday, when they were met by a counter-demonstration against racism and bigotry.

The school is in Auburn, about 100 miles northwest of Detroit.