A peaceful protest against racism at Indian Springs High School in San Bernardino on Tuesday, Feb. 28, eventually became violent and led to campus security using pepper spray on some students, school officials said.
At around 11:30 a.m., during the students’ fourth period, a dozen students organized to peacefully protest racism. Student leaders, according to Maria Garcia, communications officer for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, had an issue with a teacher and students thus decided to protest.
The protest continued to grow and as more students joined, the protest became violent as students headed to the classroom of the teacher they had an issue with.
The students tried to get into the teacher’s classroom and the vice principal attempted to disband the protest. The vice principal was then assaulted and campus officers used pepper spray to disband the students, Garcia said.
The protest ended, the school went under lockdown and students were release in a staggered fashion.
Some students stayed for group conversation with other administrators.
Garcia said that in response to the incident, the school district plans to bring in additional administrators and district police officers to ensure safety. Additionally, the school will hold meetings allowing for groups of students to talk among themselves and the staff about their grievances.
“It will be safe for students to come to school tomorrow,” Garcia said.
Two students were sent to the nurse’s office, where one declined to be examined. The other was treated for a minor irritation and returned to class, Garcia said. Otherwise, there were no injuries.
The district is investigating the cause of the protest and what issues the students have with the teacher in question; and is considering potential disciplinary action against some of the involved students.
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