EPPING, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A New Hampshire father says his daughter's high school sent the wrong message by telling her she couldn't wear her "MAGA" t-shirt on a day meant to celebrate patriotism.
Ciretta MacKenzie wound up in the principal's office at Epping High School over the Donald Trump "Make America Great Again" shirt she wore." Principal Brian Ernest told her she needed to change the shirt to avoid making anyone uncomfortable.
Her father, Jason MacKenzie, told WBZ NewsRadio's Kendall Buhl he thinks the school made the wrong call.
"I don't hate anyone, I'm not angry at Mr. Ernest," MacKenzie said. "I just think he took the easy way out, and he shouldn't have had to be put in that position at all. People should be tolerant, especially on America Day—America is freedom of speech, and you just showed the kid, well, freedom of speech only applies to other people, not you."
MacKenzie said he didn't even know Ciretta would be wearing the Trump shirt for "'Merica Monday," when students were encouraged to wear something they felt was patriotic.
"I had no problem with it, she bought it last year on her eighth-grade field trip to D.C.," he said. "She wouldn't have worn it any other day, because she really doesn't want the headache."
MacKenzie contacted Ernest to find out what the issue was with the shirt.
"His reply was basically, we felt that other students have found other ways to show patriotism versus bringing politics in," MacKenzie said. "And I thought, aw, come on, that's a cop-out."
He said he's left wondering who was actually offended, and why his daughter was "censored" at the school—but he said he's not out to get anyone in trouble, he just wants to bring awareness about tolerance.
"We just want to bring awareness, we don't want to crucify people," he said. "You're supposed to be the tolerant left, be the tolerant left, don't censor other people's opinions."
The chairman of the Epping School Board said he plans to discuss the incident during next week's board meeting.
(Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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