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Washougal man wins ‘MAGA hat’ appeal

Court of Appeals rules Eric Dodge’s decision to bring pro-Trump hat to school district’s diversity training was protected speech

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A pro-Donald Trump "Make America Great Again" hat is at the center of a Washougal man's recent $400,000 settlement with his former principal. (Contributed photo courtesy of The Columbian)

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth District has ruled that a Washougal resident’s decision to bring a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat to a training session on diversity and equity was protected speech under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

Eric Dodge, a former teacher for the Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) in Vancouver, filed a federal lawsuit against the district, Wy’East Middle School Principal Caroline Garrett and Wy’East’s human resources director, Janae Gomes, in early 2020, claiming “alleged retaliation in violation of the First Amendment,” according to court documents.

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