A Kentucky Catholic high school and its diocese have apologized after a viral video showed a group of students face to face with a Native American elder in Washington, D.C.
The Indigenous Peoples March took place the same weekend as the March for Life, which drew thousands of anti abortion demonstrators, including a group from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills. In the video, a teenager is seen standing very close to Nathan Phillips, a 64 year old Native American Vietnam veteran, who was singing and playing a drum. Other students nearby, some wearing Make America Great Again hats, can be seen laughing, and the video appears to capture chants of build that wall.
In a joint statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington and the school apologized to Phillips and said they are investigating and will take appropriate action, up to and including expulsion. The statement said, “We extend our deepest apologies to Mr. Phillips.”
Phillips described his side in a separate video, saying he heard the group chanting build that wall as he wiped away tears. He also said the land is indigenous land.
According to Stars N Stripes, Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, tweeted that the display was heartbreaking and called it blatant hate, disrespect and intolerance.
