A teenager in Virginia has opted for homeschooling after a dispute with high school officials over two large American flags displayed on his truck. Christopher Hartless, a student at Staunton River High School, believes he’s exercising his First Amendment right by displaying the flags and refuses to take them down.

The controversy began when school officials demanded that Hartless remove the two American flags mounted on the back of his truck. They argued that the flags were a distraction to other students. However, Hartless and his stepmom, Christina Kingery, are standing their ground, asserting that the flags are a symbol of their family’s connection to the country. Hartless stated in an interview with Fox 19 in Virginia, “My family fought for America, and I feel like I should be able to represent the flags that they fought for.”