Students In Trouble Over '9/11' Sweatshirts

DEARBORN, Mich. -- About 15 Arab-American students at Edsel Ford High School are in trouble over a sweatshirt they made over the holiday break, WDIV-TV in Detroit reported.

On the back of the sweatshirt, the number 11 looks like the World Trade Center towers. The school's mascot, a thunderbird, is seen flying toward the number.

Under the graphic, a tagline reads, "You can't bring us down."

The students wore the hooded sweatshirts to school Monday, and were immediately sent to the principal's office.

The sweatshirts were confiscated.

“What took place here today was an inappropriate, distasteful act,” said David Mustonen, a spokesman for Dearborn schools. “(It was) totally inappropriate, totally disrespectful, and they just were not thinking.”

The students told the principal they didn’t mean any harm by having the sweatshirts made.

Other students who heard about and saw the shirts said they were disgusted.

“I found them very offensive and I didn’t think it was funny or fun at all,” said Brittany Johnson, a senior at Edsel Ford High School.

The school has not said what disciplinary action will be taken against the students.

“If I was in charge, I would have them expelled,” said Lindsey Winstrand. “But I think suspension is the least they can do.”