Massachusetts State Police arrested six middle school students on the 19th. Hate accusations in online chat There, they participated in a “mock slave auction” with other students.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Garni told reporters at a media briefing that the students were charged with cyberbullying over a chat room that targeted two Southwick Regional School students.
The exchange was posted on the social media app Snapchat in February, and many students joined in and left, Gulluni said.
“I want to be clear: hate and racism have no place in this community, and when this behavior becomes a crime, we are here to make it clear and resolve the issue.” I assure you that we will act swiftly and decisively, just as we did in the “beacon of justice,” Gulluni said.
Some of the students were formally suspended by the school district on February 15 and 16, with one student being suspended for 25 days and the other for 45 days.
“Bullying, especially when it comes to race, has an insidious influence not just within the school community, but within the community at large, and is deeply damaging to the victims who experience harassment, abuse and humiliation,” Gürni said. added.
He went on to describe the students’ actions as “vile, cruel and despicable.”
Alison Lopez, the parent of one of the children targeted in the mock slave auction, said: angry and criticized Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District at its March 5 meeting.
“No one can talk to my daughter about what she’s been through,” Lopez said. “Don’t say you get it. Don’t say this district isn’t racist.”
She further claimed that none of the school administrators had apologized to her daughter.
“None of you on this panel understand, because you’re not taking a stand.” [my daughter’s] shoes; you don’t stand in my shoes,” Lopez continued. “Until today, you haven’t done anything to improve it… You still don’t understand it, because you’re looking at me blankly.”
She called on Superintendent Jennifer Willard to resign over the incident.
Guluni touted three initiatives aimed at addressing racist attitudes and behavior among students in the district, including educating police on best practices for dealing with bullying and racism. It also includes the creation of a new police force to train police officers and school staff.
“While I am optimistic that these efforts will have a meaningful impact, I urge everyone to take their own steps to combat racism and bullying,” Galani added.
“We have a responsibility to call out ignorance and hatred when we witness it,” he said. “We have a responsibility to promote tolerance and empathy, and when we accept this obligation, we can all have a powerful impact on our communities.”
The arrests are as follows:
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