COLONIE, N.Y. (WTEN) — Days after a “racist and hurtful,” video spread on social media from Colonie Central High School students, other students protested outside the school Monday, demanding more accountability and a way for their voices to be heard.
“We feel like if we are just louder and louder and louder, maybe they’ll finally listen, even just a little bit,” said Tamia Dawkins, a senior student at Colonie Central High School.
Tamia Dawkins was one of the students who led this protest. She shared that this all comes after a video was shared to social media, showing a group of boys that attend Colonie Central High School, at one of their homes, repeatedly saying racial slurs.
“Seeing that and hearing it for the first time, it truly made me upset,” said Dawkins. “Because it’s like, I’ve been going to school with these kids for years and it’s never stopped, but it’s gotten worse and worse.”
Plus, Dawkins is not alone. About 150 students showed up to protest after school on Monday. They came with music, signs saying things such as, “Black Lives Matter,” and made different chants, as some cars honked along.
“It hurts that they said it, but I’m glad that we have this outcome today,” said Mena Bishop, a student who was at the protest.
“I’m mainly here because I have friends and family who are people of color and it’s just very heartbreaking to see what they go through everyday,” said Mia McCluskey, a student who was at the protest.
“We just feel like it needs to be voiced. We just want to show the world, show the people what’s been going on,” said Aaliyah Semedo, a student who was at the protest.
“It makes me feel united, but it also makes me sad. Because we shouldn’t have to be doing this,” said Jasdyanna Earnes, a student at the protest.
The school district said that several students have already faced discipline following this video. Senior Associate Attorney with Tully Rinckey Nicholas Marricco said even though this happened off campus, the students can still face consequences.
“Under just general district code of conduct violations, it could be suspensions. Given how much this affected the community, it looks like the suspensions could be up to a year,” said Marricco.
Marricco said the first amendment comes into play when an incident happens off campus, however in this situation, when the words or actions disrupts the school day, that triggers the code of conduct — prompting the school to enact consequences.
“This could violate numerous provisions, it could be harassment, disorderly conduct. The other thing that’s interesting here is violations of the Dignity Act. So the Dignity for All Students Act protects students from harassment, discrimination and bullying,” said Marricco.
