Tommy DeFoe

Timothy DeFoe is an 18-year-old former student who attended school in Anderson County, Tennessee. DeFoe filed a lawsuit against the Anderson County School Board claiming that the school dress code, which banned his Confederate flag belt buckle, violated his constitutional right to freedom of speech. The school district feared the controversial symbol would incite racial tensions and suspended DeFoe from school after he violated the dress code several times.¹ The case went before a federal court on August 13, 2008.

Fast Facts

1. DeFoe filed a lawsuit against the Anderson County School Board and several school officials
2. Lawsuit filed on November 20, 2006²
3. Filed by Phil DeFoe on behalf of his son Tommy DeFoe who is considered a minor²
4. Case went before a federal jury on August 13, 2008³
5. Said his great-uncle "died for the South" in the Civil War¹
6. Suspended from school over 40 times for wearing apparel that featured the Confederate flag
7. Attended Anderson High School and an Anderson County vocational school¹

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