Kristin Pitzen, a teacher from Newport Mesa School District in Orange County

stirred controversy after posting a TikTok video where she shared that she removed the American flag

from her classroom, stating it made her feel “uncomfortable.” She encouraged her students to pledge allegiance to the pride flag instead,

sparking outrage among parents who viewed this as disrespectful to the national symbol.

In the video, Pitzen joked, “I packed [the flag] away… I don’t know where,”

adding that students could choose whether or not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.