This morning, local blogger Jasmyne Cannick shared some shocking images of racist, homophobic, and anti-semitic vandalism that occurred on the sidewalk in front of Palisades High School.
I swear I hear some new ???????? everyday I’m wakin’ up ???? #PacificPalisades #LosAngeles
Posted by Jasmyne Cannick on Monday, March 14, 2016
Students have walked out of class and are demanding information #palisadesKKK pic.twitter.com/AhPnCJGYQD
— ΔΔΔ (@_introspekt) March 14, 2016
Students began what looks like an almost school-wide sit in shortly after.
— ΔΔΔ (@_introspekt) March 14, 2016
The event has seemingly turned into much more than a protest against the graffiti, one student Tweeted this photo of students demanding that cultural studies be part of the curriculum at Palisades High School.
“We want cultural studies”- Ajamn @Jasmyne @BLMLA @YouthJusticeLA @studentpoweresp pic.twitter.com/8uLJ4TFmcX
— ΔΔΔ (@_introspekt) March 14, 2016
It’s not clear from the information we have so far whether or not faculty is allowing the protest to continue, or if students are defying school rules and continuing with their demonstration. We will update this page with further information when it becomes available.
One thing is for sure, the KKK (or whoever tagged the sidewalk in their name) spurred a high school anti-racist protest, with more participants than there are KKK members. They’ve also likely ensured that students from Palisades High School will become more politically active, and form long lasting anti-racist coalitions.
Racist graffiti has brought almost an entire school together, and will also likely bring the community together in resistance. The KKK are becoming more active because they are taking their last breaths, gasping for air. Beyond the fact that they are widely considered to be irrelevant, their actions are backfiring in cases such as this one.
Police have increased their presence, and the Palisades student protestors are wondering what they’re planning.
Hella cops up here at #palisadesKKK they planning something? ???????? @YouthJusticeLA @Jasmyne @BLMLA pic.twitter.com/kTmjgqMn4u
— ΔΔΔ (@_introspekt) March 14, 2016
Earlier the school released a statement to parents and students: “PCHS does not tolerate hate speech or related actions and is working closely with law enforcement to identify and apprehend those responsible. Surveillance cameras captured several images that will be helpful in identifying the perpetrator (who was wearing a red hoodie and a white face mask). Please listen for any information related to this incident being shared among students and report it to school administration immediately by calling our Tipline at 424.653.4083, or by visiting the MySafeSchool website and following the simple instructions to post your tip there. Both of these reporting methods are completely anonymous.”
This incident comes after a string of racist attacks in southern California, including a KKK stabbing in Anaheim, and an attack just one day later against Latinos in Los Angeles by knife wielding white supremacists screaming, “Heil Hitler!”
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