Protest Held At Staples High After Claims Of Racism In School

WESTPORT, CT — About 100 people protested near Staples High School on Tuesday after two parents recently spoke out about bullying and racism involving their daughters, Hearst Connecticut reported.

The crowd demanded more accountability for anyone who engages in bullying and racism. Hearst CT reported that the crowd held signs and motorists honked their horn in support.

"Something, legally, has to be done, either federally or statewide, because it's not bullying; it's a hate crime," Richard Anderson said, via Hearst CT.

Read more at Hearst CT.

Here is background on today's protest via previous Patch reporting:

Recent vulgar incidents of racist language directed at two Black Westport students, as described by their parents, has prompted Westport's Schools Superintendent and First Selectwoman to forcefully denounce the occurrences.

News 12 Connecticut reported the appearance of Dr. Carol Felder and her husband, Richard Anderson, at Thursday's Board of Education hearing describing the chilling incidents, in which their children, one a Staples High School student and the other a Bedford Middle School student, were subjected to racist taunts.

See related: Superintendent, First Selectwoman Respond To Racist Westport Incidents

Felder and Anderson reportedly said the taunts included the children being called monkeys and the n-word.

In a message to parents on Friday, Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said Felder and Anderson were brave for coming forward with "their painful experience of racism targeted at their children," and that the community must meet the challenge of fighting racism.

"Let me be clear: we do not tolerate racism and other forms of hate in our schools," Scarice wrote. "When we learn that a student has been targeted based on their identity, we first take steps to ensure that the student is safe and supported. Following an investigation, we take swift, decisive action and those responsible are held accountable.

"I have had the privilege of meeting in the past couple of months with the parents who spoke publicly last night, and I want to respond to their question, 'Can you imagine?' In short, my answer is 'no,' I cannot imagine what it would be like to suffer through their experience. I do, however, know this: no student, no person, should ever have to face discrimination or harassment based on their race. We will listen, we will learn, and while there is no cure for the virus of hate, we will continue to ensure that our schools do all we can to fight against it."