Tennessee students tear down American flag, jump on cop car during walkout: report

High school students in Tennessee reportedly jumped on a police car and tore down an American flag during what was supposed to be a peaceful protest for gun control. 

The Lexington Herald Leader reported Wednesday that students disrupted a planned national walkout event at Antioch High School, which included 17 minutes of silence to honor the victims of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting. 

Videos posted online by Meylin Zavala show students tearing down an American flag hanging from a flagpole. Police said some students jumped onto one of their patrol cars as well.

Police have not been able to identify who was responsible. 

Michelle Michaud with Metro Nashville Public Schools said in a statement that while they respected students advocating for important causes, students’ disruptions on Wednesday were not safe. 

“We understand that our students may be feeling lots of emotions, including anxiety, fear and even anger about today’s events,” Michaud said. 

“Unfortunately, some students on our Antioch campus today chose to protest in ways that significantly disrupted school operations and threatened the safety and order for other students and staff within our school. Swift action was taken by school security and MNPD to address the situation. No students or staff members were injured during the walkout.” 

Students across the nation walked out of class on Wednesday in solidarity with the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and to push lawmakers to take action on gun violence.