Hundreds Rally After AHS 'Black Lives Matter' Banner Vandalized

ARLINGTON, MA — Hundreds of people rallied at Peirce Field Sunday after a Black Lives Matter banner was found vandalized at Arlington High School last week. About 275 people attended the event, which included the placing of temporary signs and an eight-minute, 46-second moment of silence in memory of George Floyd, YourArlington reported.

Arlington High School Principal Matthew Janger told YourArlington replacement banners and a security camera will be installed at the site.

The Arlington Police Department is investigating the vandalism of a banner reading "We Believe Black Lives Matter." Officers responded to Arlington High School around 9:30 a.m. Thursday and spoke with a custodian, who said a banner hung on the construction fence facing Mass. Ave. had been spray painted.

The banner was removed around 8:15 a.m. after the damage was discovered, the custodian told police.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call Arlington police at 781-643-1212.

"We are thoroughly investigating this incident and treating it with the utmost seriousness," Chief Julie Flaherty said in a statement. "This act of vandalism not only damaged school property, but it sent a hurtful message to the entire community that contradicts the shared values the banner was meant to convey."

The banner was mounted on the construction fence earlier this summer. The idea to hang it banner came in the wake of conversations between administrators and the school's Black Student Union and Arlington High School Anti-Racism Working Group, whose membership includes students, staff, administration, and parents.

"We're very disappointed that this banner was defaced as it was a way for students, teachers and administrators to state a shared principle for the school. It is very painful to see it vandalized," Superintendent Kathleen Bodie said in a statement. "We are thankful to the Arlington Police Department for investigating this matter. In the meantime, we will prioritize repairing or replacing the banner so that it can continue to serve as a visible reminder of our commitment to community-building for and among students, faculty, and staff alike. This only reinforces the importance of our ongoing efforts to further promote diversity, equity and inclusion at APS."

Arlington High School Principal Matthew Janger reached out to the Black Student Union, the Arlington High School Anti-Racism Working Group, the Arlington Human Rights Commission, and district and town leadership to continue discussions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion in the district.

"Vandalism like this is a painful reminder of how much work we must continue to do to become a safe, supportive, and inclusive town," Sharon Grossman, co-chair of the Arlington Human Rights Commission, said. "The AHRC is deeply committed to continuing to work with all members of our community to deepen understanding and expand dialogue to help create a more welcoming Arlington."

The town of Arlington and Arlington Public Schools began holding an ongoing series of Community Conversations about Racism and Reforms in June. Learn more at arlingtonma.gov/communityconversations.