ACLU, NAACP Divided On Charge In Case Of Racist Snapchat Post - Fairfield, CT - One group claims the charge against a Fairfield 16-year-old is unconstitutional while another says the charge isn't strong enough.
Students walk out in protest after racist post on Snapchat
May 25, 2021
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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.
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Source: AP Photo/Richard Drew
First of all, that this unidentified student would allegedly post such a snapchat, complete with a racial slur and a picture of a Black classmate, is horrifying. But, many may likewise find it disturbing that a student could be arrested for such a thing, including civil rights groups like the ACLU.
The white student, who police will not identify because he or she is a minor, is alleged to have taken a snapchat on May 7 of a Black classmate, with a caption reading Why is there a n er in my homeroom? Another line in that snapchat read Why is he not in chains?
UpdatedMon, May 24, 2021 at 11:56 am ET
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Maximo Rivano speaks Monday at a student walkout at Fairfield Warde High School. (Anna Bybee-Schier/Patch)
FAIRFIELD, CT Hundreds of Fairfield Warde High School students walked out of class Monday morning to protest recent racist incidents in Fairfield. They gathered outside the school building, shared their stories and spoke against racism, antisemitism, homophobia, sexism and ableism.
A similar event was planned for Fairfield Ludlowe High School.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Student equity groups at Warde and Ludlowe high schools organized the walkout Monday in the wake of racist incidents involving students from both schools.