Students walk out in protest after racist post on Snapchat
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — More than 500 students in Connecticut walked out of school Monday to protest against racism after a classmate was arrested and charged for allegedly posting a racist slur on Snapchat with the photo of a Black student.
The students from two high schools in Fairfield, Connecticut, rallied for about three hours, hearing speeches and sharing their own experiences, the Connecticut Post reported.
The arrest of the student last week on a state hate crime charge of ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race was unusual and raises questions about the free speech rights of students.
The student arrested has not been identified. Judith Medor, whose son, Jamar, was the target of the Snapchat post, said school officials told her the other student was expelled from school. The school said the student is being held accountable but citing student privacy rights, declined to comment on whether the student was disciplined.
The day after the Snapchat post appeared online, Jamar Medor’s brother was called racist slurs in a phone call, the family has said. The police say they are investigating.
“It’s encouraging that people decided to walk out,” said senior Sophia Mughal, one of the organizers.
She said a local group has asked for a meeting with the school board to discuss changes proposed in December including moving to restorative justice processes in schools, revising the curriculum to include diverse perspectives and hiring more teachers who are people of color.
“I’m really proud of our students for taking a stand for something that really matters, for change to happen in their community,” said Fairfield Ludlowe Principal Greg Hatzis. “If we can’t allow that opportunity for students to have the chance to speak, then the...