The case of a Black high school student in Texas who has been repeatedly suspended from school because he refused to change his natural hairstyle is now headed to trial, the Associated Press reports.

Since Aug. 31, Darryl George, 18, has been serving an in-school suspension at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Tex, or a disciplinary program off-site.

According to Darryl, his locs are always tied neatly on top of his head but school officials say the hairstyle is in violation of the district’s dress code that limits hair length for boys. They claim that when he lets his hair down, his braided locs fall below his eyebrows and earlobes. Also, other students with locs comply with the length policy, the district stated.

In response to his suspension, the George family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott and State Attorney General Ken Paxton arguing that the suspension violates the state’s CROWN Act. Enacted in September by the state, the law prohibits discrimination against hair texture and protective hairstyles like locs and braids that are “commonly or historically associated with race.”

On Wednesday (Jan. 25), Darryl George stated that he has experienced stress over the way that he’s being treated and he is anticipating appearing in court.

“I’m glad that we are being heard, too. I’m glad that things are moving and we’re getting through this,” Darryl George said accompanied by his mother, Darresha George.

In an affidavit filed supporting the temporary restraining order, Darryl George said that the school district subjected him to “cruel treatment” with the suspensions.

“I love my hair, it is sacred and it is my strength,” Darryl George wrote. “All I want to do is go to school and be a model student. I am being harassed by school officials and treated like a dog.”

While the George’s are looking forward to their day in court, Darresha George expressed her disappointment that the judge did not issue a temporary restraining order, which would have paused Darryl’s suspension until the trial began.

“I have a son, 18 years old, that wants to go to school, that wants to get his education, and y’all messing with him. Why?” Darresha George said.

Greg Poole, the district superintendent since 2006, taking out a full-page newspaper ad in the Houston Chronicle defended his decision to suspend Darryl George.

“Being an American requires conformity with the positive benefit of unity,” Poole wrote. “We have taken the highly unusual step of seeking a declaratory judgment in state district court to verify our interpretation.”

Poole also contended that the school district’s policy does not violate the CROWN Act and that he will not relent because of outside pressure.

“We will not lose sight of the main goal — high standards for our students — by bending to political pressure or responding to misinformed media reports. These entities have ‘lesser’ goals that ultimately harm kids,” Poole continued.