13-Year-Old Denied Speaking During California School Election Over ‘Patriotic’ Content

The boy was running for the student government position of ‘Commissioner of School Spirit and Patriotism’ at a Catholic school in Huntington Beach.

Jimmy Heyward hands out flyers for his mother's boutique in Huntington Beach, Calif. Courtesy of Ed Heyward

A Catholic school principal from Huntington Beach, California, is facing scrutiny after parents alleged she denied their son the opportunity to speak during a school election due to the “patriotic” content of his speech.

Thirteen-year-old Jimmy Heyward, a student at Saint Bonaventure Catholic School, was scheduled to give his speech May 16 at a school rally as he ran for the student government position of “Commissioner of School Spirit and Patriotism.”