'Build the Wall' Video: 'This Is Not Who We Are,' Royal Oak School Official Says

ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak Middle School students made national news when they broke out into a fiery "build the wall" chant in the cafeteria on Nov. 9, referencing president-elect Donald Trump's controversial campaign pledge to build a wall along America's border with Mexico.

Now the principal has something to say. And he posted his message for the entire world to witness in a nearly three-minute YouTube video.

"The incident that took place in our cafeteria yesterday was a mistake and does not reflect the ROMS way. Our challenge this morning and beyond is to honestly reflect and commit to be better," Royal Oak Middle School Principal Todd Noonan said in the video, which has amassed 31,000 views in just 24 hours. That's a fraction of the views the original video attracted, though

"ROMS, this is not who we are. Everyone is welcome in our community of learners. We build bridges. We work together. We push each other. Respect each other. We help each other. This is who we are."

Noonan left students with this: "If you or someone you know ever feels unsafe or welcome at ROMS, talk to me or any adult in this building. You belong here and you're safe here."

The Royal Oak schools are taking pains to emphasize their commitment to safety to students and families.

"Because of the strong emotions and intensity of rhetoric that the posting of this incident to social media has elicited, families are concerned about student safety. We are very grateful for our strong partnership with the Royal Oak Police Department. They are actively monitoring the concerning posts to social media. They are maintaining an enhanced presence in and around ROMS," Royal Oak Superintendent of Schools Shawn Lewis-Lakin said in a press release.

Lewis-Lakin addressed the online firestorm that the uploaded student video sparked, which has millions of views in just days, "Anything that is posted online can go viral on social media is a part of the day in which we live. While there are tools available to limit the spread of posts (which we do use) such tools are limited. We are working on building an understanding of this with students."

The next ROMS Parent Teacher Association workshop on Nov. 17 will be social media-focused and is titled "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas Anymore: The World of Social Media."

Watch Noonan's video below.

Image via Shutterstock and video via NTM10.