"Artistic" swastika? School district accused of racially hostile environment
/ AP
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has filed a federal discrimination complaint alleging that there's a racially hostile environment at a southwest school district that was previously criticized for its use of the Redskin name and image as a mascot. The ACLU filed the discrimination complaint last Monday with the U.S. Department of Education against Paw Paw Public Schools.
The ACLU's complaint said "there are ongoing acts of harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, and use of imagery and language that causes humiliation," including multiple incidents involved racial slurs. One instance involved a teacher allegedly saying a student's use of a swastika in a project was "artistic."
A public records request found that there were numerous instances of discrimination against racial, religious and ethnic groups at the district from 2015 through 2017, said ACLU attorney Mark Fancher. "The level of fear that appears to exist in that community among groups that have been targeted by the bigotry is such that we really felt something extraordinary needed to happen in that community," Fancher said.
District Superintendent Sonia Lark issued a statement denying the allegations, saying that the ACLU hasn't conducted sufficient research on the issue. She said the district has promptly and effectively addressed discrimination complaints.
"District staff and administration work tirelessly to promote diversity and to encourage cultural sensitivity," Lark said. "The district does not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment."
The school district also received attention for voting in 2017 to keep the Redskin name and image as the high school's mascot. The ACLU is asking the Education Department to launch an investigation and that the district work to eliminate discrimination.
The complaint noted that federal funds could be withheld from the district if it doesn't cooperate. The district hasn't yet been notified if the complaint will be investigated, but school officials will fully cooperate, Lark said.
First published on January 28, 2019
© 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wild road rage incident caught on camera
The man on the hood is grateful a fellow driver with a gun finally helped stop the SUV
updated 7M ago
School district accused of deeming student's swastika "artistic"
Michigan school district was previously criticized for its use of Redskin name, image as mascot
updated 13M ago
Chris Christie: FBI's gun-toting raid on Roger Stone's home was "overkill"
While he says the Russian investigation not a "witch hunt," former N.J. governor faults tactics used in arrest of Trump adviser and confidante
updated 56M ago
5 divorce mistakes that can cost you
Doing — or even just saying — the wrong thing as you head into a split can have nasty financial consequences
1H ago
Recession in 2019? Here's what economists are predicting
A survey of business economists say President Trump's tax cuts have done little to impact their business plans
1H ago
Medicaid expansion supporters to rally as Utah Legislature opens
State leaders have said they plan to implement Medicaid expansion, but want to make changes to control costs
updated 2M ago
IRS returns to work with 5 million pieces of unopened mail waiting
It could take the IRS at least a year to get back to normal, now that parts of the government have reopened
updated 7M ago
Washington baker apologizes for "Build that Wall" cookie
A Washington state baker apologized for a politically charged Valentine's Day cookie
updated 24M ago
Trump slams Fox News over border security coverage
The less-than-complimentary tweet comes after the president cast doubt that a deal could be reached over border security
2H ago
Monuments and memorials to reopen in D.C. after historic shutdown
National parks and memorials are reopening across the country after a 35-day shutdown of the federal government
2H ago
Pope seeks to "deflate" church sex abuse summit expectations
On his flight home from Panama, the pontiff cautioned against expecting too much from the summit on what he calls a "human problem"
updated 9M ago
Deadly tornado tears through Cuba's capital city
President says at least 3 killed and 174 injured as powerful storm wreaks havoc in Havana neighborhoods
1H ago
U.S. and Taliban "draft" a deal with Afghan leader on sidelines
Top American envoy confirms "draft of a framework" reached with militants, as Afghan president urges "serious talks" involving his government
2H ago
Death toll in Brazil dam disaster nears 60, hundreds missing
As many as 300 people may still be unaccounted for after a mining dam failed, unleashing a wall of mud on surrounding communities
5H ago
U.S. lifts sanctions on 3 companies tied to major Russian oligarch
Oleg Deripaska has ties to Vladimir Putin and was linked to Paul Manafort; Congress nearly blocked the move
5H ago
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga sing "Shallow" in surprise performance
"So, I'm gonna be a little chance-y … Yo Bradley, you wanna come up and do this one?" Gaga asked during her "Enigma" performance Saturday night at Park MGM resort
updated 3M ago
XXXTentacion's son born 7 months after rapper's death in Florida
Rapper's girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez gave birth Saturday to baby boy Gekyume Onfroy
13H ago
Meet the "Sunday Morning" Sun Queen
For 20 years associate director Jessica Frank has been handpicking every shining example of sun artwork to appear on our program – about 9,000 and counting
Jan 27
Conor Oberst, Phoebe Bridgers on keeping collaboration under wraps
"I just didn't want anybody to hear that we had a project, and know both our music and make an assumption about what it sounded like"
Jan 26
Michael Jackson accusers' film gets standing ovation and rebuke from estate
Jackson's estate sharply denounced the film, calling it "the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death"
Jan 26
Meet the man behind a third of what's on Wikipedia
Steven Pruitt has made nearly 3 million edits on Wikipedia and written 35,000 original articles — all for free
17H ago
Amazon facial technology shows bias, researchers say
Facial-detection technology that Amazon markets to law enforcement often misidentifies women, particularly those with darker skin, according to new research
Jan 25
Endangered lemurs could help humans fight disease
Madagascar's lemurs could hold the key to solving human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, but they're at risk of being wiped out
Jan 25
"We've entered a new era" of climate concern, survey finds
A new survey shows Americans are more convinced than ever about the impact of climate change
Jan 25
11,000 at Microsoft trapped in "reply all" loop
Social-media posts by employees describe some of the hazards — and horrors — that can come from hitting "reply all"
Jan 25
Their twins’ medical costs top $1 million. Can GoFundMe help?
Some 250,000 GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to raise money for people facing steep health care costs
1H ago
State of emergency declared over Washington measles outbreak
Gov. Jay Insless said the outbreak "creates an extreme public health risk"
Jan 26
Doctor's license suspended amid review of overdoses, deaths
Doctor accused of ordering excessive and possibly fatal pain medicine for dozens of hospital patients without their families' knowledge
Jan 26
Father who lost son to addiction seeks justice from drug makers
Members of the Sackler family are accused of marketing the drug, even though they knew how addictive it can be
Jan 25
Salmonella outbreak linked to pet hedgehogs
These prickly little mammals are increasingly popular as pets, but don't kiss or snuggle them, health officials warn
Jan 25
Trump's rollbacks of fossil fuel regulations may carry steep costs
The administration's environmental rule changes could cause more premature deaths and climate-warming emissions
updated 49M ago
5 divorce mistakes that can cost you
Doing — or even just saying — the wrong thing as you head into a split can have nasty financial consequences
1H ago
In Paris, "red scarves" rally to counter yellow vests
10,000 marched in the city to protest the sometimes violent anti-government demonstrations
1H ago
Moving company accused of holding customers' belongings hostage
Florida attorney general has filed suit against companies that use deceptive practices, hold customers' belongings hostage
2H ago
Their twins’ medical costs top $1 million. Can GoFundMe help?
Some 250,000 GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to raise money for people facing steep health care costs
1H ago
Wild road rage incident caught on camera
The man on the hood is grateful a fellow driver with a gun finally helped stop the SUV
updated 7M ago
Moving company accused of holding customers' belongings hostage
Florida attorney general has filed suit against companies that use deceptive practices, hold customers' belongings hostage
2H ago
Man wanted in slaying of 4 in Georgia arrested in Indiana
Authorities say Daylon Delon Gamble targeted his victims but they don't know his motive
4H ago
Roger Stone leaves door open to cooperation with special counsel
"That is something I will determine with my attorneys," Stone told CBS News
12H ago
Man suspected of killing 5, including parents, arrested
Authorities say Theriot first shot and killed three people — the woman believed to be his girlfriend, her brother and father — before allegedly killing his parents
15H ago Original Article