A Virginia teen saw her opposing heads in a baton during a high school track competition, held a rally of supporters on Thursday, repeating her innocence.
Larry came one day after she was offered on misdemeanor battery and assault charges.
Student Araira Everett held a rally outside Norcomb High School, a school in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Everett gave a tearful speech and saw dozens of individuals attending the rally.
“Thank you for supporting me,” Everett told supporters as he could see in local footage. Virginia News Station Wavy. “No one wanted to hear me. However, except for those who know me and those who know that I never do anything like that, I would not harm anyone. I am not a fighter, I am not even confrontational, I do not intentionally do it, and I am grateful for everything that has believed in me. I love everything.”
Everett's speech was filled with loud applause and a chant “We Stand With You.”
Portsmouth NAACP President James Boyd also spoke at the rally, claiming threats and slander directed at Everett's family.
“The Everett family has experienced racial slander and death threats, and they are clearly thinking that these things are unacceptable,” Boyd said.
Local community activist Germain Green called for unity from the community to support teenagers.
“It bothered me to see how the whole world was dragging this young woman in and dragging her character in based on what they thought they'd seen. I just wanted to step up, speak out, bring unity and let this young woman know that the city of Portsmouth carries her on her back,” Greene said.
Lynchburg Commonwealth's law firm confirmed on Wednesday that misdemeanor charges of assault and battery were filed against the case.
The incident occurred last Tuesday during the Championship Tournament. The footage shows Everett shattered the baton into the head of a junior Karen Tucker at Brookville High School during a relay race.
Everett and her entire team were disqualified.
Tucker was later diagnosed with a possible concussion and a skull fracture after footage of the incident became word-of-mouth.
Everett later said in an interview with Wavy and “Good Morning America” that the hit was a coincidence.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) previously issued a statement to Fox News Digital on the issue.
“VHSL has not commented on individuals or disciplinary actions by FERPA,” the league statement read. “The actions taken by the tournament director to disqualify the runners were appropriate and correct. We will thoroughly review all of these instances with player safety with participating schools. VHSL membership has always been a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition.”
Fox News Digital has contacted the Portsmouth Public School District for comment from the Everett family.
Before misdemeanor charges were announced in Everett, the Portsmouth NAACP issued a statement protecting the teen on Wednesday.
“Araira is not an attacker and it's shameful to imply that. We understand the sensitivity of situations involving both athletes and their families, but this story should not be appreciated,” the statement read.
“Araira is an honorary student and star athlete at the historic IC Norcom High School. From all accounts, she is an extraordinary young leader and academic, whose athletic talent is well documented and recognized throughout our state. She carries herself with integrity both on and off the field, and the story of adjuring her crimes for criminal conduct is a violation of her rights to the rights of the process.”
Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
