OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, today released a statement following reports that multiple Bixby students were asked to remove or turn their shirts inside out for wearing apparel referencing conservative public figures.

According to reports, staff told two students to adjust their clothing under the district’s dress code policy, which allows intervention when attire is considered disruptive to the educational environment.

“I have great respect for our public schools and the teachers who work hard to support students every day, but school policies must be applied equally to all students,” Banning said. “When students are told to turn a shirt inside out in one class and then complimented for it in another, that sends a confusing message. We can do better at applying our policies fairly and consistently.”

"Our schools should be a place where students feel comfortable expressing their views respectfully and learning from one another, said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. It is a violation of the student's first amendment rights to prohibit him from honoring Charlie Kirk with a simple t-shirt. I appreciate Rep. Banning’s commitment to ensuring fairness in how school policies are applied."

Banning added, “Our students have First Amendment rights and they should be free to express them respectfully in our classrooms. Students should be able to stand up for what they believe in, especially our younger kids. We can support our schools and still hold them accountable when they get it wrong.”

Banning said he plans to author legislation to reinforce students’ constitutional rights to wear patriotic clothing at school. While such protections already exist, he said clarifying them in law is worth pursuing if it helps educators uphold those freedoms.

Rep. Chris Banning serves House District 24, which includes Bixby and parts of Creek, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties.