HENRICO COUNTY, VA. -- Henrico Police are investigating how the Confederate States of American flag ended up flying over the baseball field at Freeman High School on Sunday.
"On Sunday morning, we became aware that someone had snuck onto Freeman’s property past a locked fence and put up a flag associated with the Confederacy on the baseball field flag pole," the Freeman principal wrote in an email to parents on Monday. "Minutes after being made aware, we arrived, removed the flag and began an investigation."
Freeman High School was the site of a racial equality rally last week. About 100 students and parents called for the school in western Henrico to change its nickname from "the Rebels."
Douglas Southall Freeman, a Richmond historian, author, and journalist, won Pulitzer Prizes for his biographies of both Robert E. Lee and George Washington. But "the school’s nickname was likely inspired by his Confederate subjects," school district officials noted.
The school is currently seeking input from students, families, alumni, and the community about the nickname.
"This was an act of vandalism committed by someone who was likely attempting to misrepresent what we stand for as a school and community," the letter from Freeman's principal continued. "I am both sad and angry that this occurred and wanted you to know that we strongly reject this act and its intent."
