A Colorado school district says it has opened an investigation after a photo circulated on social media that appears to show students reenacting the killing of George Floyd.
According to reports, the image, which was apparently first shared on Snapchat, shows a student in blackface lying on the ground while another student kneels on his neck and a third kneels on his back. The students have not been publicly identified, and it is unclear when the photo was taken.
Rachael Ayers, principal of Mead High School, wrote to students and families that the photo was taken on school grounds and called it highly offensive and not reflective of the school’s values of respect, character and inclusivity. She confirmed the school had started an investigation.
Don Haddad, superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District, called the image “disgusting and disturbing” and said the district does not tolerate racism. A district spokesperson said details of the investigation could not be shared. Haddad also encouraged students who need support to contact school counselors.
The photo surfaced just days before the one year anniversary of Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April and is awaiting sentencing.
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