“I think it is not a big compromise to not wear a T-shirt to school so that another student feels safe,” he said.

Tomah High School junior Brett Larkin was the only person who spoke against the ban. He said it would violate free speech.

“From sitting during the pledge to student walkouts, freedom of speech and expression have always been protected on school campus by the First Amendment,” he said.

Larkin said he doesn’t display the flag himself and said, “I find it quite ignorant to display it as the state of Wisconsin is located nowhere near the former Confederate states ... I am not here to defend the Confederate flag; I am here to defend and protect my fellow students’ right to freedom of speech.”

He rejected the assertion that the flag symbolizes racism and said polling data show most Americans view the flag as a symbol of “southern pride.” He warned the ban would “enrage many rural students ... that support the flag.” He said also said there is no “hate speech” exception to the First Amendment.