Eugene School District sends letters after national anthem protest

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – The Eugene School District sent a letter to five high school staff members advising them not to engage in political expressions at work after they took a knee during the national anthem at a student assembly.

The Register-Guard newspaper reports that the school district sent “the letter of directive” after the June 1 incident at Winston Churchill High School.

School district spokeswoman Kerry Delf says it wasn’t disciplinary, declining to identify the employees and whether or not they’re teachers.

Delf cited no official law or school district provision but said employees are expected to refrain from unacceptable political activities when students are held as a captive audience.

Kneeling has become a political statement ever since professional athletes defied the tradition in protest of police brutality against blacks.

___

Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com