San Diego Teacher Under Investigation for Flipping US Flag, Posting 'Abolish ICE' in Classroom

Bailey Hill Ringer, a first-grade teacher, posted a video showing her inverting the American flag and displaying an 'Abolish ICE' sign in her classroom.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A first-grade teacher at Audubon Elementary School in San Diego, Bailey Hill Ringer, posted a video on social media showing her flipping an American flag upside down and posting an 'Abolish ICE' sign in her classroom. The 22-second clip sparked outrage online, and the San Diego Unified School District has launched an investigation into Ringer's actions.

Why it matters

The incident has raised concerns about the appropriate role of political activism in the classroom, especially among young students. Critics argue that Ringer's actions were inappropriate and could disrupt the learning environment, while others have defended her right to free speech and political expression.

The details

In the video, Ringer is seen removing the American flag from her classroom wall and re-hanging it upside down as 'The Hanging Tree' from 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1' plays in the background. She then staples an 'Abolish ICE' sign beside the inverted flag, a recognized signal of distress. The video was reportedly deleted from Ringer's TikTok account, but it had already been shared on social media, sparking widespread backlash.

  • The video was posted on Sunday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Bailey Hill Ringer

A 27-year-old first-grade teacher at Audubon Elementary School in San Diego, California.

San Diego Unified School District

The school district that oversees Audubon Elementary School and is currently investigating Ringer's actions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The San Diego Unified School District has stated that Ringer's video is under investigation and that they are unable to discuss specific details due to it being a personal matter. The district's priority is ensuring that students remain safe, supported, and engaged in learning.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing debate over the appropriate role of political expression and activism in the classroom, especially when it involves young students. While teachers have the right to free speech, some argue that certain actions, like inverting the American flag and displaying political slogans, cross a line and can disrupt the learning environment.