Anti-Israel activist groups are demanding that Lower Merion High School apologize for not allowing a student to wear a headscarf with pro-Palestinian symbolism to graduation.

The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) and Lower Merion Alliance for Free Speech on Palestine (LM AFSP) “strongly condemned” the actions of the Lower Merion School District (LMSD).

“If you were at the LMHS (Lower Merion High School) graduation on Thursday, you might’ve seen me getting escorted by administrators and police on and off stage,” the student at the center of the controversy posted on social media. “I was not allowed in the ceremony at all until my name was called, and then I was swiftly rushed out.”

The student was wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Arab headscarf, with a black and white pattern that’s a common symbol of support for the Palestinian cause.

The student wrote that he walked into the ceremony with the other graduates wearing his keffiyeh, “which I did not think would cause any issue.”

But “the principal and activities director called me aside and told me that I needed to take off my headscarf if I wanted to participate in the ceremony. We talked for about 10 minutes. They claimed they believed the scarf would cause a disruption. They cite the colors on the scarf as an indicator of a ‘political statement,’ which were newly banned from the ceremony weeks prior in a letter.

“I told them it was a matter of principle that I would not take my headscarf off for an unjust reason,” the graduate said. “Keep in mind, I’ve worn this same headscarf to school and school events without any backlash.”

The graduate claimed he needs the headscarf “for managing my hair type.”

“After not complying with their demand, I was escorted out of the building before the ceremony began,” he said.

Amy Buckman, a spokeswoman for LMSD, said, “High School graduation ceremonies are an opportunity for all seniors and their families to celebrate their academic achievements.

“To ensure that all students and families felt safe and supported during the Lower Merion High School graduation ceremony, and to avoid disruptions or displays that would detract from the inclusive and celebratory nature of the event, students and families received clear guidance regarding acceptable apparel and accessories. Students wearing items that violated that guidance were given a choice between 1) removing those items and participating in the ceremony or 2) not removing them and not participating.”

CAIR and its partner organizations are nonetheless demanding a public apology to the graduate and his family. They also want the district to revise its policies and reaffirm “its commitment to creating inclusive and nondiscriminatory environments for students of all backgrounds.”