Hampshire College on Friday raised the American flag back to full staff after protests erupted from students and veterans when officials at the Massachusetts school banned flying flags on campus last month.
"We understand that many who hold the flag as a powerful symbol of national ideals and their highest aspirations for the country, including members of our own community, felt hurt by our decisions — and that we deeply regret," President Jonathan Lash said, Fox News reports.
"We did not lower the flag to make a political statement," he added. "We acted solely to facilitate much-needed dialogue on our campus about how to dismantle the bigotry that is prevalent in our society."
Hampshire College, a private liberal arts institution located in Amherst, first lowered the U.S. flag to half-staff after Election Day.
On Veterans Day, Old Glory was found burned on campus — and a week later, school officials banned the flying of all flags at the institution.
The school's decision triggered widespread demonstrations — and veterans' groups marched on Hampshire College last week, waving flags and chanting "USA."
Lash said Friday that "Hampshire staff and faculty have led facilitated discussions, I have held multiple focus-group sessions — and all of our students, faculty, and staff have been invited to contribute their opinions, questions, and perspectives about the U.S. flag.
"This is what free speech looks like."
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