Webber v. First Student, Inc. (928 F. Supp. 2d 1244, 2013)

ORDER

PANNER, District Judge:

Kenneth Webber was terminated by his employer, First Student, Inc., for insubordination after he refused to remove a 3-by-5 foot Confederate flag from his pickup truck while the truck was parked on property of the Jackson County School District. Webber claims First Student’s termination violated his First Amendment rights. He brings this civil rights action against First Student; Jonel Todd, his supervisor at First Student; the Jackson County School District (also known as the Phoenix-Talent School District); and Ben Bergreen, the School District superintendent.

Defendants move for summary judgment. Magistrate Judge Mark D. Clarke has filed a Report and Recommendation (R & R) recommending defendants’ motions be denied.

Defendants object to the R & R, so I have reviewed this matter de novo. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Commodore Bus. Mach., Inc., 656 F.2d 1309, 1313 (9th Cir.1981). Because First Student was not acting under color of state law when it terminated Webber, I grant defendants’ motions for summary judgment.

DISCUSSION

I. Factual Background

First Student, a private employer doing business in about forty states, has a contract with the Jackson County School District to transport students. First Student operates on property it leases from the School District.

Webber worked as a school bus driver for First Student. Starting in 2009, he kept a 3-by-5 foot Confederate flag, emblazoned with the word “Redneck,” hanging from an antenna on his pickup truck. Webber parked his truck in First Student’s employee parking lot, which is owned by the School District.

There were no complaints about the flag until February 22, 2011, when Bergreen, the School District superintendent, noticed the flag while walking by Webber’s truck. Bergreen asked Todd, Webber’s supervisor, to remove the flag from District property.

Bergreen states, “I knew the students would see the flag as they traveled to the Future Farmers of America facility behind the bus barn.[] The presence of the flag in a location where students could see it would erode the progress the District has made to ease the racial tension within the District and be a detriment to education within the District.” Bergreen Deck ¶ 20.

Bergreen told Todd that the Confederate flag violated School District policy because students had used the flag as a symbol of white supremacy. As the R & R notes, it is undisputed that the School District has experienced racist incidents, both before and after Webber’s termination. R & R at 1264-65. Several of these incidents have been associated with the Confederate flag, including the flag’s use by students identifying with a white supremacist gang called the Crazy White Boys. R & R at 1265.

Todd states, “Bergreen asked me to ask the driver of the truck to take the flag down while parked on District property.... I agreed to ask the driver of the truck to take down the flag. That driver was plaintiff.” Todd Deck ¶ 9.

The next day, Todd told Webber that the School District wanted the flag removed from its property. According to Webber, Todd explained, “Well, [Bergreen] doesn’t want people to think that, like, racist people work here or that it has to do with racists.” Guest Deck, Ex. 1, at 6. Webber replied, “My flag has nothing to do with racism.....So I am not going to take it down because one person has a different thought about it.” Id.

On March 1, 2011, Webber asked Todd to see First Student’s policy prohibiting the display of the Confederate flag. Todd sent Bergreen an email:

Good afternoon, Do you have a policy in writing that you can send me on the “flag issue” HR tells me if there is a written policy we can get this put to rest. I am tired of arguing with this driver. Thank you!

Boardman Deck, Ex. 5. Bergreen responded to Todd the next day:

Jonel: Board policy ... harassment addresses objects that are offensive and demeaning to protected individuals and groups. The Confederate flag is a symbol of many racists [sic] hate groups. The fact that a member of your organization called immediately to complain about my request not to display the flag on school property is disturbing as is the fact I was identified as the person making the request to remove the flag. I would have expected a more professional, proactive and sensitive response from you on the issue.

Id.

Todd responded to Bergreen’s email: Ben, I sincerely apologize. I did not tell the driver that it was you who asked. I did tell him it was a request from the School District because of a policy and the bus barn is on School District property, and as our client he was to comply. He was one of the drivers that was in the drivers room when you came over. I did wait until the next day to talk to him, and I heard that it had been reported to a TV station. I called him and asked him what was going on. And he told me it was another driver who had called, not him. I do not believe him. I am truly sorry that I did not handle that in a more professional manner.

Id., Ex. 12 at 8.

Todd met again with Webber. Todd told Webber that he would be suspended if he refused to take down the flag. Webber rejected options offered by Todd, such as taking the flag down while the truck was on School District property, parking the truck on a co-worker’s property nearby, or rolling up or covering the flag. Webber understood the restriction on displaying the flag applied only when the flag was on School District property.

Todd suspended Webber for one day for refusing to comply with her order. The suspension was reported in the news media.

Van Criddle, First Student’s regional operations manager, emailed Bergreen on March 2, 2011:

I hope that Jonel [Todd] has contacted you regarding the course of action we are taking with regard to the flag person. Our HR department has directed us to have him park the truck out of site [sic] until they could discuss the matter. This morning he was given a direct instruction to remove the flag. He refused to do so. He has been suspended with intent to terminate. He has threatened to contact the media. We have contacted our media department and asked them to make contact with the local media and inform them that we asked him to remove the flag while on our property and he refused so we terminated his employment. We intend to take full responsibility for his termination and not mention the district or district policy at all. I apologize for any issues this has caused the District or you and Doug personally.

Bergreen Deck, Ex. 6B, at 1. The contract between First Student and the School District provides that the School District has no authority over First Student’s employment practices, and no power to discharge or discipline First Student’s employees. Todd Deck, Ex. 1, at ¶ 21. The contract also provides, “Contractor further agrees that District or its Superintendent shall have the right to require that any specific employee of the Contractor not furnish service to District under this Agreement.” Id.

On March 3, 2011, Webber met with Todd and Rowdy Bates, a manager for First Student based in Grants Pass. Bates and Todd suggested that Webber take one of the options Todd had previously offered, such as rolling up the flag while on School District property. Webber testified that he “knew Jonel [Todd] did try to find the solution to it, but all the solutions came up with either taking down or hiding it [or parking off site].” Guest Deck, Ex. 1, at 38. Todd told Webber he would be suspended for three days, and warned that he would be terminated if he continued to disobey her orders.

On March 4, 2011, Bergreen responded to Todd’s email:

Jonel, in a perfect world when you asked Mr. Webber to take down the flag he would have said yes, and that would have been the end of it. Of course, that is what I was thinking would happen. One thing I will do as much as possible in the future is communicate with you in person, person-to-person, or at least by phone during difficult situations. Email especially during times of stress does not work well for me. So I apologize for being abrupt. I didn’t realize my request could generate such a huge controversy. I genuinely appreciate the work you do for the District and the great job you do in keeping the transportation system running smoothly. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you and for not being more sensitive to your situation. It has been a challenging week on many fronts.

Smith Deck, Ex. 12 at 10.

Bergreen emailed Criddle, First Student’s regional manager:

Reactions to the flag issue appear to be on the decrease. The next time we get together, it may be worth it to take some time to analyze how to best deal with difficult issues between our two organizations. I am always looking to profit firom going through difficult situations and the lessons to be learned for next time — if any. I appreciate your support and speedy response to my concerns. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you — I had several other challenging issues this week as well. Thanks.

Bergreen Deck, Ex. 6B, at 1.

Criddle replied to Bergreen:

I would appreciate the opportunity of how to deal with difficult circumstances in the future. I will have let you know when I will be down there next so we can see if we can find a mutually agreeable time to get together.

Hope this week is better than last for both of us. Bergreen Deck, Ex. 6B, at 1.

Webber testified that on March 8, 2011, Todd told him, “Well, I got to ask you again. Are you going to take the flag down?” Guest Deck, Ex. 1, at 43. Webber said, “Nope.” Webber understood the options previously offered by First Student were still available to him. Todd told Webber he was terminated for insubordination.

II. First Student Was Not Acting Under Color of State Law

Plaintiff claims that First Student, a private corporation, violated his First Amendment rights. “But the First Amendment protects individuals only against government, not private, infringements upon free speech rights.” George v. Pacific-CSC Work Furlough, 91 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.1996) (per curiam). Webber must show First Student’s termination “somehow constitutes state action.” Id. He must overcome the presumption that a private actor’s conduct is not state action. Florer v. Congregation Pidyon Shevuyim, N.A., 639 F.3d 916, 922 (9th Cir.2011), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 132 S.Ct. 1000, 181 L.Ed.2d 743 (2012). As the R & R notes, although there may be issues of fact regarding the extent of state involvement, the ultimate determination on state action is a question of law for the court. R & R at 1255 (citing Blum v. Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 997, 102 S.Ct. 2777, 73 L.Ed.2d 534 (1982)).

A. Determining Whether a Private Actor Acts Under Color of State Law

“State action may be found if, though only if, there is such a close nexus between the State and the challenged action that seemingly private behavior may be fairly treated as that of the State itself.” Villegas v. Gilroy Garlic Festival Ass’n, 541 F.3d 950, 955 (9th Cir.2008) (en banc) (citing Brentwood Acad. v. Tenn. Secondary Sch. Athletic Ass’n, 531 U.S. 288, 295, 121 S.Ct. 924, 148 L.Ed.2d 807 (2001)). The Ninth Circuit uses four approaches to determine whether private conduct is attributable to the state: “(1) public function; (2) joint action; (3) governmental compulsion or coercion; and (4) governmental nexus.” Kirtley v. Rainey, 326 F.3d 1088, 1092 (9th Cir.2003) (quotation omitted). These are “simply factors that may be considered in a flexible approach to state action.” Villegas, 541 F.3d at 957 n. 4.

B. Webber’s Termination Was Not Under Color of State Law

1. The Public Function and Governmental Nexus Tests

Do Not Apply

The R & R correctly concludes that neither the public function nor the governmental nexus tests applies here.

2. There Is No Joint Action

The R & R concludes disputed issues of material fact exist whether Webber’s termination was the result of joint action between First Student and the School District. The R & R correctly states there is no evidence of a conspiracy between First Student and the School District. R & R at 1258-59. The R & R then concludes, however, that issues of fact exist whether the School District “ ‘has so far insinuated itself into a position of interdependence with [the private party] that it must be recognized as a joint participant in the challenged activity.’ ” R & R at 1259 (quoting Collins v. Womancare, 878 F.2d 1145, 1154 (9th Cir.1989) (R & R omits citation and quotation marks)).

For joint action to exist, there must be willful, joint participation between the state and private actors in which “the state knowingly accepts the benefits derived from unconstitutional behavior.” Florer, 639 F.3d at 926 (citations and quotations omitted). “The joint action test is not satisfied absent willful joint participation, ... where the state was in ‘a position of interdependence with the private entity.’ ” Id. at 927 (citations omitted).

The School District and First Student did not jointly participate in terminating Webber. There is no evidence from which a reasonable jury could find Bergreen, or anyone else from the School District, asked First Student to terminate Webber, or even to discipline him. Under its contract with First Student, the School District had no right to terminate or discipline First Student’s employees. Only First Student could do so.

The R & R notes First Student relied on the School District’s policy when it required Webber to remove the Confederate flag while his truck parked was on School District property. The School District’s policy against the display of demeaning, disruptive symbols did not require Webber’s termination. Webber’s termination was solely First Student’s decision.

The R & R cites Webber’s arguments that the School District “used First Student to indirectly violate his First Amendment rights” and “provided the impetus for the constitutional violation and took no action to dissuade First Student from engaging in the course of action effecting that violation.” R & R at 1260. No reasonable jury could construe the School District’s inaction as evidence of joint participation in First Student’s termination of Webber.

3. There Is No Coercion

“Under the state compulsion approach, a private entity acts as the state when some state law or custom requires a certain course of action.” George, 91 F.3d at 1232. As the R & R correctly notes, the facts relevant to the compulsion test are undisputed. R & R at 1257-58. I agree with the R & R that there is no “direct evidence that [the School District] caused Webber’s termination.” R & R at 1258. In arguing that the School District coerced First Student into terminating Webber, Webber resorts to speculation and unjustified inferences.

Bergreen asked First Student to remove the Confederate flag from School District property. The exchange of emails shows Bergreen never threatened First Student with any consequences if the flag was not removed, such as canceling the School District’s contract with First Student. A reasonable jury could find Bergreen acquiesced in First Student’s decision to terminate Webber, but the state’s acquiescence in, or even approval of, a private actor’s conduct is not coercion. Caviness v. Horizon Community Learning Center, Inc., 590 F.3d 806, 817 (9th Cir.2010) (“ ‘[a]ction taken by private entities with the mere approval or acquiescence of the State is not state action’ ”) (quoting Am. Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sullivan, 526 U.S. 40, 52, 119 S.Ct. 977, 143 L.Ed.2d 130 (1999)).

The R & R cites the agreement between First Student and the School District, which gives the School District “the right to require that any specific employee of [First Student] not furnish service to District under this Agreement.” As the R & R correctly notes, this provision does not allow the School District to terminate or discipline a bus driver employed by First Student, only to require that a particular bus driver not work in the District. The contractual right to preclude a specific employee from providing service to the School District (a right that the School District did not invoke here) does not show the School District compelled First Student to terminate Webber. See George, 91 F.3d at 1231 (terminated employee could not show state action even though the state “retain[ed] the right to dismiss” the employee, because the state had “neither legally regulated nor contractually specified the manner in which [the private actor] disciplines or terminates its own employees”).

In a recent decision, the First Circuit concluded there was no state action when a state agency exercised a similar contractual right. Mead v. Independence Ass’n, 684 F.3d 226, 230 (1st Cir.2012). There, the private employer operated fifteen assisted living facilities under a contract with the state agency. The plaintiff, Mead, was director of all the facilities. After an investigation, the state agency invoked its contractual right to require that the private employer replace Mead as director of one of the facilities. Mead was later terminated by the private employer, based in part on the agency decision.

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of § 1983 claim because Mead did not allege the state agency ordered that she be “terminated from her employment, which is the essence of Mead’s claim. So far as [the agency] was concerned, Mead could have continued to work in some capacity [at the facility], as well as remained in her position as administrator of [the employer’s] fourteen other assisted living facilities.” Id. The court concluded that the private employer’s “choice to fire Mead cannot be ‘deemed to be that of the State,’ and [the employer] cannot be held accountable for that choice under § 1983.” Id. (quoting Blum v. Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 1004, 102 S.Ct. 2777, 73 L.Ed.2d 534 (1982)). The same logic applies here.

The R & R also states that “while First Student argues it acted alone in imposing the progressive disciplinary actions against Webber and ultimately terminated his employment, the credibility of this argument is undermined by the fact that First Student was aware of Webber’s flag for 18 months and took no action against him until Bergreen’s demand.” R & R at 1258. First Student’s inaction until Bergreen complained about the flag shows only that First Student was unaware of the School District policy or of Webber’s flag. Once Bergreen brought the School District policy to Todd’s attention, First Student attempted to comply with it.

Webber also argues that “Bergreen did not attempt to dissuade or discourage First Student from acting against Webber using the District’s policy, but rather expressed his thanks and appreciation and suggested that the parties analyze the situation for ‘lessons to be learned for next time.’ ” R & R at 1258. No reasonable jury could find compulsion under these facts. See Flagg Bros., Inc. v. Brooks, 436 U.S. 149, 164, 98 S.Ct. 1729, 56 L.Ed.2d 185 (1978).

Because Webber cannot show his termination was under color of state law, I do not address his claim that the termination violated-his First Amendment rights. See George, 91 F.3d at 1230 (“Demonstrating state action is a necessary threshold which George must cross before we can even consider whether Pacific infringed upon his First Amendment rights to free speech.”).

CONCLUSION

Magistrate Judge Clarke’s Report and Recommendation (# 49) is adopted in part and not adopted in part. Plaintiffs state law claims are dismissed. Defendants’ motions for summary judgment (# 28, # 32) are granted.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

REPORT & RECOMMENDATION

CLARKE, United States Magistrate Judge.

This matter comes before the court on motions for summary judgment filed by Jonel Todd (“Todd”) and First Student, Inc. (“First Student”) (collectively “First Student Defendants”), and Jackson County School District 4 (“the District”) and District Superintendent Ben Bergreen (“Bergreen”) (collectively “District Defendants”). For the reasons stated below, the motions for summary judgment (# 28, 32) should be DENIED, and Webber’s second claim for relief should be DISMISSED.

BACKGROUND

Defendant First Student is a national corporation that provides school bus services in approximately 40 states. (Decl. Jonel Todd Supp. Mot. Summ. J. (“Todd Deck”), Dckt. # 31, ¶ 2). First Student is under contract with Defendant Jackson County School District 4 (“the District”) to provide transportation for students to and from schools operated by the District. (Id., ¶ 3 & Ex. 1). First Student operates out of a facility located on Culver Road in Talent, Oregon (“Culver Road facility”). (Id., ¶4). First Student employees park their personal vehicles in a designated employee lot at the Culver Road facility each day while working. (Id.). The Culver Road facility is owned by the District and leased by First Student pursuant to a written lease agreement. (Id., ¶ 5 & Ex. 2). Defendant Jonel Todd (“Todd”) was the manager of First Student’s Culver Road facility during the relevant period of time. (Id., ¶¶ 6, 7).

Behind the Culver Road facility is a District-operated building that houses the District’s Future Farmers of America (“FFA”) program. (Decl. Ben Bergreen Supp. Mot. Summ. J. (“Bergreen Decl.”), Dckt. # 35, ¶ 20). Individuals traveling to the FFA facility must drive into the Culver Road facility and pass the “bus barn.” (Id.) Approximately 20-25 students travel to the Culver Road facility on a weekly basis to use the FFA facility. (Decl. Morgan Smith Supp. Mot. Summ. J. (“Smith Decl.”), Dckt. #34, ¶ 3 & Ex. 2A, Dep. Ben Bergreen (“Bergreen Dep.”), Dckt. # 34-2, pp. 35). The road leading to the FFA building is roughly 15 feet from the First Student employee parking lot. (Id., ¶ 2 & Ex. 1A, Dep. Kenneth Webber (“Webber Dep.”), Dckt. #34-1, pp. 44). The nearest District school is located a mile or two from the Culver Road facility. (Bergreen Dep., Dckt. # 34-2, pp. 7). Defendant Ben Bergreen (“Bergreen”) was the District Superintendent during the relevant period of time. (Bergreen Decl., Dckt. # 35, ¶ 1).

First Student’s predecessor, Laidlaw, hired plaintiff Kenneth Webber (“Webber”) as a bus driver at the Culver Road facility in June 2007. (Decl. Thomas Boardman Opp. Mot. Summ. J. (“Board-man Decl.”), Dckt. #38-2, ¶2 & Ex. 1, Dep. Kenneth Webber (‘Webber Dep.”), Dckt. # 38-2, pp. 5). Webber became a First Student employee following First Student’s acquisition of Laidlaw. (Todd Deck, Dckt. # 31, ¶ 8). Webber identifies himself as a “redneck.” (Webber Dep., Dckt. # 38-2, pp. 15). In July 2009, Webber’s father gave him a 3 foot by 5 foot Confederate flag emblazoned with the word “Redneck.” (Decl. Kenneth Webber Opp. Mot. Summ. J. (“Webber Decl.”), Dckt. # 38-1, ¶ 2). Webber affixed the flag to an antenna in the bed of his truck, where it has consistently hung since, including while Webber’s truck was parked at the Culver Road facility. (Id., ¶¶ 3-4)

Webber parked his truck at the Culver Road facility with the Confederate flag displayed from July 2009 until February 2011 without incident. (Webber Decl., Dckt. 38-1, ¶ 5). On February 22, 2011, Bergreen visited the Culver Road facility and saw the flag. (Todd Deck, Dckt. # 31, ¶ 9). Bergreen informed Todd that he “had some issues” with the flag and “asked her to have the driver — or the person who owns the flag to take it down when they were parked there.” (Bergreen Dep., Dckt. # 34-2, pp. 9). Bergreen told Todd that the presence of the flag at the Culver Road facility concerned him because the District had experienced a number of race-related student disputes at District schools in the recent past. (Todd Deck, Dckt. # 31, ¶ 9; Bergreen Deck, Dckt. # 35, ¶ 20 & Exs. 1B-5B). Bergreen told Todd that the flag also violated the District’s anti-harassment policy, which prohibits “jokes, stories, pictures or objects that are offensive, tend to alarm, annoy, abuse or demean certain protected individuals and groups” in District schools and facilities. (Todd Deck, Dckt. # 31, ¶ 9; Smith Deck, Dckt. # 34, ¶ 7 & Ex. 6A).

The next day, February 23, Todd met with Webber and informed him that Bergreen had objected to the flag and wanted Webber to remove it from his truck. (Todd Decl., Dckt. #31, ¶10). When Webber refused, Todd stated she would look further into the issue. (Id.; Webber Dep., Dckt. # 34-1, pp. 11). Todd then consulted with Van A. Criddle (“Criddle”), a First Student Regional Operations Manager with authority to approve employee discipline. (Id.; Smith Decl., Dckt. #34, ¶ 4 & Ex. 3A, Dep. Jonel Todd (“Todd Dep.”), Dckt. # 34-3, p. 21). During this time, the media reported that Bergreen had required First Student to instruct Webber to remove the flag from his truck. (See Bergreen Dep., Dckt. # 34-2, pp. 11-12) ,

On March 1, 2011, Webber asked Todd to see the policy that prohibited the display of his flag. (Supplemental Decl. Jonel Todd Supp. Mot. Summ. J. (“Suppl. Todd Decl.”), Dckt. # 43, ¶ 2). Todd then sent the following e-mail to Bergreen:

Do you have a policy in writing that you can send me on the flag issue? FIR tells me if there is a written policy we can get this put to rest. I am tired of arguing with this driver. Thank you.

(Boardman Decl., Dckt. # 38-2, ¶ 6 & Ex. 5). On March 2, Bergreen replied:

Jonel, Board policy GDMA harassment addresses objects that are offensive and demeaning to protected individuals and groups. The Confederate flag is a symbol of many racist hate groups. The fact that a member of your organization called immediately to complain about my request not to display the flag on school property is disturbing as is the fact I was identified as the person making the request to remove the flag. I would have expected a more professional, proactive and sensitive response from you on the issue.

(Id.).

On March 2, Todd met with Webber a second time. (Webber Dep., Dckt. # 34-1, pp. 25-26). Todd told Webber that she had been contacted by someone about the issue, and that the display of the flag was contrary to company policy. (Id.). When Webber again asked to see the company policy, Todd told him he could not see it. (Id.). When Webber again refused to take down his flag, Todd suspended him for one day. (Id.).

That same day, Criddle e-mailed Bergreen:

Ben, I hope that Jonel has contacted you regarding the course of action we are taking with regard to the flag person. Our HR department directed us to have him park the truck out of site [sic] until they could discuss the matter. This morning he was given a direct instruction to remove the flag. He refused to do so. He has been suspended with the intent to terminate. He has threatened to contact the local media and inform them that we asked him to remove the flag while on our property and he refused so we terminated his employment. We intend to take full responsibility for his termination and not mention the district or the district policy at all. I apologize for any issues this has caused the District or you and Doug personally.

(Bergreen Decl., Dckt. # 35, ¶ 19 & Ex. 6B)

The following day, March 3, Todd and Rowdy Bates (“Bates”), First Student’s Grants Pass facility manager, met with Webber. (Webber Dep., Dckt. # 34-1, pp. 30). Todd and Bates told Webber he could either take down his flag, roll it up or conceal it in some fashion while at work, or park away from the Culver Road facility. (Id., pp. 32-33). When Webber refused to comply with any of the three options, Todd suspended him for another three days. (Id., pp. 34-35; Todd Decl., Dckt. # 31, ¶11).

On March 4, Bergreen replied to Criddle:

Van: Reactions to the flag issue appear to be on the decrease. The next time we get together, it may be worth it to take some time to analyze how to best deal with difficult issues between our two organizations. I am always looking to profit from going through difficult situations and the lessons to be learned for next time-if any. I appreciate your support and speedy responses to my concerns.

(Bergreen Deck, Dckt. # 35, ¶ 19 & Ex. 6B)

On March 8, Todd called Webber for a third formal meeting. (Webber Dep., Dckt. #34-1, pp. 38). Todd again asked whether Webber was willing to take down his flag. (Id., pp. 41). When Webber answered in the negative, Todd fired Webber. (Id., pp. 40; Todd. Deck, ¶ 11).

STANDARD

Summary judgment shall be granted when the record shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material of fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ.P. 56(a); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). The moving party has the initial burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Devereaux v. Abbey, 263 F.3d 1070, 1076 (9th Cir.2001) (en banc). The court cannot weigh the evidence or determine the truth but may only determine whether there is a genuine issue of fact. Playboy Enters., Inc. v. Welles, 279 F.3d 796, 800 (9th Cir. 2002). An issue of fact is genuine “ ‘if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.’ ” Villiarimo v. Aloha Island Air, Inc., 281 F.3d 1054, 1061 (9th Cir.2002) (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505).

When a properly supported motion for summary judgment is made, the burden shifts to the opposing party to set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 250, 106 S.Ct. 2505; Auvil v. CBS “60 Minutes”, 67 F.3d 816, 819 (9th Cir.1995). Conclusory allegations, unsupported by factual material, are insufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment. Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir.1989). Instead, the opposing party must, by affidavit or as otherwise provided by Rule 56, designate specific facts which show there is a genuine issue for trial. Devereaux, 263 F.3d at 1076. Put another way, summary judgment should be granted when the nonmoving party fails to offer evidence from which a reasonable jury could return a verdict in its favor. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505. In assessing whether a party has met its burden, the court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Allen v. City of Los Angeles, 66 F.3d 1052, 1056 (9th Cir.1995). When viewing the evidence at this stage, all justifiable inferences are drawn in favor of the nonmoving party. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505; Gibson v. Cnty. of Washoe, 290 F.3d 1175, 1180 (9th Cir.2002).

DISCUSSION

Webber’s First Amended Complaint (# 21) alleges that the District defendants and First Student defendants acting together to deprive him of his right to freedom of speech and expression. Webber asserts two claims for relief: a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of his First Amendment rights, and a claim under the Oregon Tort Claims Act (“OTCA”), Or. Rev. Stat. § 30.260-300, for violation of article I, sections 8 of the Oregon Constitution.

I. 42 U.S.C. § 1983

Webber brings his first claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of his First Amendment rights. To state a claim under § 1983, Webber “must allege a violation of his constitutional rights and show that defendants’ actions were taken under color of state law.” Florer v. Congregation Pidyon Shevuyim, N.A., 639 F.3d 916, 921 (9th Cir.2011), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 132 S.Ct. 1000, 181 L.Ed.2d 743 (2012).

a. Color of State Law

To state a claim for violation of his First Amendment rights under § 1983, Webber must first show that First Student acted under color of state law. Franklin v. Fox, 312 F.3d 423, 444 (2002). The court begins with the presumption that conduct by private actors is not taken under color of state law. Florer, 639 F.3d at 922. Thus, the plaintiff bears the burden of establishing that a nominally private entity was a state actor. Id. (citing Flagg Bros., Inc. v. Brooks, 436 U.S. 149, 156, 98 S.Ct. 1729, 56 L.Ed.2d 185 (1978)). The basic question under the color of state law inquiry is whether the necessary “close nexus” between the state, the private entity, and the challenged conduct exists. Sutton v. Providence St. Joseph Med. Ctr., 192 F.3d 826, 835 (9th Cir.1999).

The Supreme Court has articulated four tests for determining whether a private entity’s actions amount to state action: (1) public function; (2) compulsion; (3) joint action; and (4) governmental nexus. Florer, 639 F.3d at 922. (citing Johnson v. Knowles, 113 F.3d 1114, 1118 (9th Cir. 1997)). A plaintiff need only satisfy one of these tests to show that a private entity acted under color of state law. Lee v. Katz, 276 F.3d 550, 554 (2002) (citing Brentwood Acad. v. Tenn. Secondary Sch. Athletic Ass’n, 531 U.S. 288, 304, 121 S.Ct. 924, 148 L.Ed.2d 807 (2001)). The extent of the state involvement in the action presents a question of fact. Lopez v. Dep’t. of Health Servs., 939 F.2d 881, 883 (9th Cir. 1991). However, the ultimate determination of whether there is state action presents a question of law for the court. See Blum v. Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 997, 102 S.Ct. 2777, 73 L.Ed.2d 534 (1982) (describing “whether there is state action” as one of “several issues of law” for the court); Han v. Dept. of Justice, 824 F.Supp. 1480, 1492 (9th Cir.1993) (evidence insufficient to show state action as a matter of law); Spreadbury v. Bitterroot Pub. Library, No CV 11-64-M-DWM-JCL, 2011 WL 4499043, *5-7 (D.Mont. July 21, 2011) (same); Rodriguez v. Smithfield Packing Co., Inc., 338 F.3d 348, 354 (4th Cir.2003) (“[T]he ultimate resolution of whether an actor was ... functioning under color of law is a question of law for the court.” (quoting Goldstein v. Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., 218 F.3d 337, 344 n. 7 (4th Cir .2000)).

1. Public function test

The public function test requires that the private party performs a public function that has been both traditionally and exclusively governmental. Florer, 639 F.3d at 925. The scope of the public function test is relatively narrow. Flagg Bros, 436 U.S. at 158, 98 S.Ct. 1729 (“While many functions have been traditionally performed by governments, very few have been ‘exclusively reserved to the state.’ ”) (internal quotation omitted); Chasse v. Humphreys, CV-07-189-HU, 2009 WL 3334912, *5 (D.Or. Oct. 13, 2009) (same). The relevant question under the public function test is not simply whether a private entity is serving a “public function,” but “whether the function performed has been traditionally the exclusive prerogative of the state.” Rendell-Baker v. Kohn, 457 U.S. 830, 842, 102 S.Ct. 2764, 73 L.Ed.2d 418 (1982) (internal citations omitted; emphasis in original); Santiago v. Puerto Rico, 655 F.3d 61, 69 (1st Cir.2011) (“The public function test has a specific, targeted purpose: it is meant to counteract a state’s efforts to evade responsibility by delegating core functions to private parties.”).

Webber argues that First Student performs a public function because it provides transportation services for public school students. Although the Ninth Circuit has not specifically addressed the bussing of students, it has held that state-funded educational services provided by a private entity are not the traditional and exclusive prerogative of the state. Caviness v. Horizon Cmty. Learning Ctr., Inc., 590 F.3d 806, 815 (9th Cir.2010). The defendant in Caviness was a private, non-profit corporation operating a charter school. Id. at 808. Under state law, charter schools were designated as public schools, publicly funded, subject to certain state regulations, and established by contract with a school district, the state board of education, or the state board for charter schools. Id. at 808-9. The Ninth Circuit extended the reasoning of Rendell-Baker to find that where a state elects to provide publicly funded “alternative learning environments.” the state’s characterization of the educational service provider as either private or public is not controlling with respect to whether the function performed is traditionally and exclusively the prerogative of the state. Id. at 815-16. Concluding that the provision of educational services “is not a function that is traditionally and exclusively the prerogative of the state,” the Ninth Circuit found that the defendant’s charter school contract with the state afforded no basis for holding that it acted under color of state law. Id. at 816.

If the provision of educational services is not traditionally and exclusively the prerogative of the state, as both the Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit have held, it is difficult to imagine that the provision of student transportation services could be traditionally and exclusively the prerogative of the state. Both the First and Third Circuit Courts of Appeal have directly confronted this question and answered in the negative, relying in part on Rendell-Baker. Santiago, 655 F.3d at 69-70; Black ex rel. Black v. Indiana Area Sch. Dist., 985 F.2d 707, 710-711 (3d Cir.1993). The court finds these cases persuasive. As a matter of common sense, student transportation is not exclusively a function of the state. As private schools provide private education, so too do private individuals and entities provide transportation services for public school student; thus, student transportation falls outside the exclusive purview of the state. Accordingly, the court finds that First Student’s provision of student transportation services is not a function that is traditionally and exclusively the prerogative of the state, and therefore, as a matter of law, affords no basis for finding that First Student acted under col- or of state law.

2. Compulsion test

The compulsion test asks whether the overt or covert coercive influence or signifieant encouragement of the state effectively converts a private action into a governmental action. Kirtley v. Rainey, 326 F.3d 1088, 1094 (9th Cir.2003). The “mere approval of or acquiescence in the initiatives of a private party is not sufficient to justify holding the state responsible for those initiatives.” Blum v. Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 1004, 102 S.Ct. 2777, 73 L.Ed.2d 534 (1982). Instead, the plaintiff must demonstrate a sufficient link between the challenged action and the state law or policy scheme alleged to be the driving force behind the private party’s actions. Knowles, 113 F.3d at 1120. In other words, a plaintiff must “point to any state regulation or custom having the force of law that compelled, coerced, or encouraged the Defendants to discriminate against the [plaintiff].” Id.

The undisputed facts of this case are as follows. Webber hung his flag from his truck, which he parked every work day at the Culver Road facility. Nobody from First Student or the District raised an issue with the flag for over 18 months. On February 22, 2011, Bergreen visited the Culver Road facility, saw Webber’s flag, and asked Todd to have the flag taken down. On February 23, Todd told Webber Bergreen objected to the flag and asked Webber to take it down. Webber refused. On March 1, Webber asked Todd for the policy he was supposedly violating. First Student did not have a policy in place addressing the display of symbols such as Webber’s flag. On March 1, Todd emailed Bergreen and requested a copy of the District’s policy. Sometime on or before March 2, the media reported that Bergreen had ordered First Student to have Webber take his flag down. On March 2 at 7:51 a.m., Bergreen provided the District’s anti-harassment policy to Todd and expressed his displeasure about the media reports. On March 2 at 3:20 p.m., First Student Regional Operations Manager Criddle e-mailed Bergreen stating that Webber had been “suspended with intent to terminate” and that First Student would assume “full responsibility” for Webber’s termination and “not mention the district or the district policy at all.” Also on March 2, Todd met with Webber, told him the flag violated First Student policy, refused to provide him with a copy of the policy when he asked for it, and suspended him for one day when he refused to take his flag down. On March 3, Todd suspended Webber for three more days for refusing to take his flag down. On March 4, Bergreen emailed Criddle stating that “[reactions to the flag issue appear to be on the decrease,” suggested that they spend time “analyzing] how to best deal with difficult issues between our two organizations” at their next meeting in order to “profit” from “the lessons to be learned for next time — if any,” and thanked him for First Student’s “support and speedy responses” to his concerns. On March 8, Webber was terminated for refusing a third time to take down his flag.

The parties disagree about the significance of these facts. Webber argues that Bergreen did not simply request that First Student ensure that Webber take down his flag, he demanded it. He points out that First Student is contractually required to “comply in every respect” with all District policies, and that the District may terminate the contract on 30 days notice if First Student fails to do so. He points out that First Student did not have any policy in place that addressed his flag but jumped to respond to Bergreen’s demand, asking for and enforcing the District’s anti-harassment policy as its own for the very purpose of forcing Webber to take down his flag, while simultaneously attempting to conceal the fact that it was enforcing a District policy by refusing to provide him with a copy of it. He argues that Bergreen’s March 2 email to Todd shows that Bergreen was angry and embarrassed that the media was reporting on the story and implicitly threatened First Student in such a way that First Student felt it had no option but force Webber to take the flag down or terminate him, or risk losing its contract with the District. He argues that First Student’s assertion that it acted independently is subterfuge, pointing to Criddle’s placating email to Bergreen stating that First Student had suspended Webber “with intent to terminate,” would assume “full responsibility” for that decision, and would avoid any further mention of the District or District policy while it acted to achieve that goal, yet all the while acting at Bergreen’s behest and to enforce the District’s policy. Webber argues that Bergreen did not attempt to dissuade or discourage First Student from acting against Webber using the District’s policy, but rather expressed his thanks and appreciation and suggested that the parties analyze the situation for “lessons to be learned for next time.” This, argues Webber, shows the ongoing efforts by the District to shape and control First Student policy to mirror the District’s own, thereby allowing the District to act indirectly through First Student, essentially using First Student as a vehicle for imposing the District’s will on First Student employees.

The District counters by arguing that there is simply no evidence that the District threatened First Student with any action should First Student fail to ensure the flag was removed. The District focuses on the lack of direct evidence that it caused Webber’s termination, arguing that Bergreen merely asked for the flag to be taken down and that all subsequent disciplinary action against Webber was undertaken at First Student’s discretion. It is worth noting that, while the District could not require First Student to fire Webber, it could mandate that Webber could not drive busses for the District. (Todd Deck, Dckt. #31, ¶ 3 & Ex. 1, pp. 9). If First Student’s only function is to drive busses for the District, such a request might be construed as de facto termination, because there would be no work available for Webber at First Student. Likewise, while First Student argues that it acted alone in imposing the progressive disciplinary actions against Webber and ultimately terminated his employment, the credibility of this argument is undermined by the fact that First Student was aware of Webber’s flag for 18 months and took no action against him until Bergreen’s demand.

In sum, while there are certain facts which are undisputed, the decision of law to be made by the court necessarily requires that a factfinder make credibility determinations and weigh the evidence and the inferences that may legitimately be drawn from them. The determination as to whether Webber has satisfied the compulsion test is therefore not appropriate for determination on summary judgment.

3. Joint action test

The joint action test instructs “courts to examine whether state officials and private parties have acted in concert in effecting a particular deprivation of constitutional rights.” Franklin, 312 F.3d at 445 (quotation and citation omitted). A plaintiff may establish joint action by proving the existence of a conspiracy or by showing that the private party willfully participated in joint action with the state or its agents. Id. (citing Collins v. Womancare, 878 F.2d 1145, 1154 (9th Cir.1989)).

Webber does not argue that First Student conspired with the District, and no conspiracy is readily discernible from the evidence presented. To prove the existence of a conspiracy under the joint action test, a plaintiff must prove “an agreement or meeting of the minds to violate constitutional rights.” Franklin, 312 F.3d at 441. This requires that the plaintiff specifically identify the conspiring parties, the shared objective, and the acts committed by each defendant in furtherance of the conspiracy. Olsen v. Idaho Bd. of Med., 363 F.3d 916, 919 (9th Cir.2004); Harris v. Roderick, 126 F.3d 1189, 1196 (9th Cir.1997). “[E]aeh participant in a conspiracy need not know the exact details of the plan, but each participant must at least share the common objective of the conspiracy.” Id. at 445 (citing United Steelworkers of Am. v. Phelps Dodge Corp., 865 F.2d 1539, 1540-41 (9th Cir.1989)). Whether First Student and the District shared a common objective is debatable. As pled and argued by Webber, the District’s goal was to ensure that Webber’s flag was removed from District property, even if that required that Webber himself be removed. On the other hand, First Student’s goal was to salvage and maintain its contractual relationship with the District, even if doing so required First Student to violate Webber’s First Amendment rights. In other words, Webber’s suspension and ultimate termination were the means to an end, not the end itself — the way in which the District and First Student achieved their differing goals, not a mutual goal. Absent a common goal and overt actions in furtherance of that goal by each of the defendants, there can be no conspiracy between First Student and the District.

Whether Webber can show joint action through willful participation is a closer call. To show that a private party is a willful participant in joint action with the state or its agents, the plaintiff must demonstrate that “the state has so far insinuated itself into a position of interdependence with [the private entity] that it must be recognized as a joint participant in the challenged activity.” Collins, 878 F.2d at 1154 (citation and quotation omitted). This occurs when a state official has substantially cooperated in the unconstitutional act of a private entity. Villegas v. Gilroy Garlic Festival Ass’n, 541 F.3d 950, 960 (9th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted), and the state has knowingly accepted the benefits derived from the unconstitutional behavior, Kirtley, 326 F.3d at 1093 (citation omitted). However, a state official’s mere acquiescence in the actions of a private party is not sufficient to show joint action. See Flagg Bros., 436 U.S. at 164, 98 S.Ct. 1729.

Webber argues that First Student’s contract with the District essentially converted First Student into an extension of the District itself by conditioning the contractual relationship on First Student’s compliance with and enforcement of District policies. Thus, when First Student did not have a policy that would allow it to demand that he remove his flag, the District provided and First Student proceeded to enforce a District policy as if it were First Student policy. Where the state and private parties act pursuant to a written agreement and actively engage in conduct leading up to the alleged constitutional violation, the state and the private actor may be found to have acted jointly. Compare Berger v. Hanlon, 129 F.3d 505, 509-515 (9th Cir.1997) (finding willful participation where the parties executed letter of agreement regarding the execution of a criminal search warrant and coordinated on the planning and execution of the search), vacated and remanded by 526 U.S. 808, 119 S.Ct. 1706, 143 L.Ed.2d 978 (1999), judgment reinstated by 188 F.3d 1155 (9th Cir.1999); with Brunette v. Humane Soc. of Ventura Cnty., 294 F.3d 1205, 1212-13 (9th Cir.2002) (no willful participation where the defendant invited a reporter last minute to the scene of an executed search warrant pursuant to longstanding custom, not a written agreement). Furthermore, while Webber does not contend that the District dictated each successive disciplinary action against him, he argues that the District required First Student to take whatever disciplinary action was necessary in order to remove his flag, up to and including terminating his employment. Thus, he argues, the Distriet used First Student to indirectly violate his First Amendment rights. He argues the District may therefore be found to have -willfully participated in his suspension and termination, because it both provided the impetus for the constitutional violation and took no action to dissuade First Student from engaging in the course of action effecting that violation. But see Collins, 878 F.2d at 1155-56 (no willful participation where police issued citations to protestors held subject to citizen’s arrest by health clinic where police had discouraged the health clinic from detaining protestors and then remained neutral throughout subsequent investigation).

As discussed above in the “Compulsion Test” section of this report, the question of whether and to what extent First Student acted at the District’s behest when taking action against Webber is a heavily contested factual issue. Therefore, the determination as to whether the District willfully participated in First Student’s actions against Webber — which, if answered in the affirmative, would make the District and First Student joint actors — is not suitable for determination on summary judgment.

4. Governmental nexus test

The governmental nexus test asks whether “there is such a close nexus between the State and the challenged action that the seemingly private behavior may be fairly treated as that of the State itself.” Kirtley, 326 F.3d at 1094-95 (quoting Brentwood, 531 U.S. at 295, 121 S.Ct. 924). Generally, the governmental nexus test requires evidence that the private actor is “entwined with governmental policies, or ... [the] government is entwined in [the private actor’s] management or control.” Brentwood, 531 U.S. at 295, 121 S.Ct. 924. A showing of mere “significant links” is insufficient to demonstrate a governmental nexus between the state and a private entity without further evidence of “substantial interconnection.” Kirtley, 326 F.3d at 1093; see also Kuba v. Sea World, 428 Fed.Appx. 728, 731-32 (9th Cir.2011) (theme park’s leasing of public property subject to conditions regarding land use and programming did not show sufficient nexus absent further evidence of interconnection). Although the governmental nexus test is the most vague of the four state action tests, the Ninth Circuit has articulated four factors to consider when determining whether entwinement exists: (1) whether the organization is primarily made up of state institutions; (2) whether state officials control the organization’s decision making; (3) whether state institutions largely generate the organization’s funds; and (4) whether the organization is acting in place of a traditional state actor. Villegas, 541 F.3d at 955 (citing Brentwood, 531 U.S. at 295-99, 121 S.Ct. 924).

The court has already found, as described above, that First Student is not performing a function that is traditionally and exclusively the province of the state, therefore, the fourth element does not apply here. Webber does not claim, nor does the evidence suggest, that First Student is made up of state institutions; therefore, the first element likewise does not apply. Although it is undisputed that First Student has a contract to perform services for the District, the evidence submitted does not establish the nature and extent to which that contract accounts for First Student’s revenues. Therefore, the court is unable to determine the weight that should be afforded the third factor.

With regard to the second element, Webber argues that the inference that the District controls First Student’s decision making may be drawn from the terms of the contract between them. The court disagrees. While the contract does afford the District the discretion to require that certain employees not perform work for the District and to terminate the contract should First Student not comply with its terms or District policy, it does not directly empower the District to make decisions regarding the hiring, firing, or discipline of First Student employees. As discussed above, questions of fact exist regarding the nature and the extent to which First Student was compelled, coerced, or encouraged to take certain actions as the result of express or implied pressure by the District. However, the ability to compel or encourage decision making is distinct from the ability to control decision making. The court finds that, as a matter of law, the evidence presented is insufficient to support the conclusion that the District had the ability to control First Student’s decision making process. For these reasons, the governmental nexus test affords no basis for holding that First Student acted under color of state law.

Conclusion

Because the court finds that material questions of fact exist as to whether First Student was coerced into terminating Webber, and whether First Student and the District were joint actors in Webber’s termination, it cannot properly resolve on summary judgment the ultimate legal issue of whether First Student acted under color of state law when it terminated Webber.

b. Violation of Webber’s First Amendment Rights

When the state acts as both a sovereign and an employer, courts utilize the test from Pickering v. Board of Education, 391 U.S. 563, 88 S.Ct. 1731, 20 L.Ed.2d 811 (1968) to determine whether a public employer has violated an employee’s constitutional rights. In the Ninth Circuit, the Pickering test has evolved into a sequential five-step inquiry. Eng v. Cooley, 552 F.3d 1062, 1070 (9th Cir.2009), cert. denied, 558 U.S. 1110, 130 S.Ct. 1047, 175 L.Ed.2d 881 (2010). The steps are:

1. Whether the plaintiff spoke on a matter of public concern;

2. Whether the plaintiff spoke as a private citizen or public employee;

3. Whether the plaintiffs protected speech was a substantial or motivating factor in the adverse employment action;

4. Whether the state had adequate justification for treating the employee differently from members of the general public;

5. Whether the state would have taken the adverse employment action even absent the protected speech.

Id. at 1070-72. A plaintiffs failure to satisfy one of the steps ends the analysis. Johnson v. Poway Unified Sch. Dist., 658 F.3d 954, 961 (9th Cir.2011).

1. Whether Webber spoke on a matter of public concern

An issue of public concern can be speech that relates to “any matter of political, social, or other concern to the community.” Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138, 146, 103 S.Ct. 1684, 75 L.Ed.2d 708 (1988). The Ninth Circuit defines the scope of the public concern doctrine broadly and has “adopted a liberal construction of what an issue of public concern is under the First Amendment.” Clairmont v. Sound Mental Health, 632 F.3d 1091, 1103 (2011) (quoting Desrochers v. City of San Bernardino, 572 F.3d 703, 709-10 (9th Cir. 2009)). To help discern whether a plaintiff spoke on a matter of public concern, courts review “the content, form, and context of a given statement, as revealed by the whole record.” Clairmont, 632 F.3d at 1103 (quoting Connick, 461 U.S. at 147-48, 103 S.Ct. 1684). Content is the first and most important factor in the public concern inquiry. Johnson, 658 F.3d at 965 (“content is king”) (citing Desrochers, 572 F.3d at 710). Whether an employee’s speech touches on an issue of public concern presents a question of law. Connick, 461 U.S. at 148, 103 S.Ct. 1684.

The evidence regarding what message, if any, Webber intended to express with his flag is at best inarticulate and at worst contradictory. First Student argues that Webber’s deposition testimony unequivocally establishes that he did not intend for his flag to express any public message:

Q: Do you — other than the fact that you identify as a redneck, why do you fly the flag? I mean, are you — what are you trying to do by flying the flag?

A: I am not trying to do anything. It was a gift from my father, and I was talking about getting it in the past, and he just found it for me. So it is just something I wanted to have on my truck.

Q: Okay. It is — are you trying to let the people around you who see your truck or see you, are you trying to communicate to them that you are a redneck?

A: No. It is just my flag.

Q: Okay. You are not trying to communicate anything to anybody?

A: No.

Q: It is just a possession of yours that it important to you?

A: Right.

(Webber Dep., Dckt. #34-1, pp. 21-22). Webber responds that defendants take too narrow an approach to the evidence. He argues that to him, the Confederate flag represents certain social and cultural values which he associates with the South and what can be characterized as a “redneck lifestyle.” (Id., pp. 13). Those values include the centrality of strong family relationships (“family means everything to you”), living close to the land (“you hunt and fish”), and an aversion to entitlements (“you work for what you have”). (Id., 13-17). He expresses a sense that social and cultural values diverges between the northern and southern states of this nation, and that his Confederate “redneck” flag represents a statement regarding the social and cultural values of the South which is readily identifiable by those who view it. (Id.).

It is true that Webber stated that he did not intend to communicate anything by flying his flag. However, his deposition testimony shows that the flag was important to him as a symbol of the social and cultural values he holds. The flag is large, measuring three feet by five feet, and its placement on Webber’s truck was both bold and conspicuous. His actions in refusing to remove or conceal the flag directly contradict the statement that he did not intend the flag to be seen and understood as an expression of those values. Webber tenaciously clung to his right to continue to display the flag in the face of suspension and the threat of termination. Webber’s decision to risk losing his job of nearly six years rather than remove his flag speaks volumes about not only the symbolic value it holds for him, it is inconsistent with the conclusion that he did not mean to convey anything to the public by displaying it. In light of this contradictory evidence, the court cannot conclude that Webber did not intend the flag to convey a message to the public at large. The court therefore turns to the question of whether that message touches on a matter of public concern.

Courts have recognized at least three different messages that can be expressed by the Confederate flag. The Confederate flag can be a political symbol for state’s rights and a decentralized form of government. Scott v. Sch. Bd. of Alachua Cnty., 324 F.3d 1246, 1248-49 (11th Cir.2003). The Confederate