A law which came into effect on Tuesday bans schools in Idaho from displaying flags or banners “representing a political, religious, or ideological expression”.

Idaho’s attorney general has confirmed that the phrase “everyone is welcome here” would fall into that category, Idaho Education News reports.

It follows a controversy earlier in the year where an Idaho schoolteacher resigned after refusing to remove a classroom banner which displayed those words above illustrations of children’s hands with different skin colours.

The attorney general has claimed such signs are part of an “ideological/social movement” which arose in 2017 in response to Donald Trump becoming president.

Sarah Inama, the former schoolteacher, said she was not aware of any political meaning behind the banner, which she said she installed in 2020 or 2021.

“It’s not a political opinion — it’s a pretty common message,” she said.