Braintree

Braintree Students Walk Out of School Over Concerns of Racism

Students gathered outside of Braintree Town Hall to demand action Monday

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Students walked out of class Monday over the handling of what they say is racist behavior at their school in Braintree, Massachusetts.

Students gathered outside of Braintree Town Hall to demand action.

Interim Superintendent Jim Lee said in a statement that approximately 300 Braintree High School students left the building "to stage a peaceful protest in support of racial justice in our nation and in our community."

He said the students walked to the Five Corners area, escorted by high school administrators and Braintree police officers, where several students spoke and held signs.

Lee's statement did not address any specific instances of racism in Braintree schools.

Students at Quincy and Braintree High School are calling for change following the circulation of racist videos among students.

"As a school, we recognize that these conversations are critical, and welcome the opportunity to continue discussing the issues brought up by the students who raised their voices today," he said. "As such, we will be meeting with students to develop a better understanding of their specific concerns, of the precipitants that led to today's walk out, and to hear their thoughts on how we can improve the educational environment for all students who attend our schools."

A similar situation has been unfolding in Quincy, where both high school and middle school students planned to walk out of school Monday over racist videos that have circulated on social media.

Hundreds of students walked out of Quincy High School last week after a year-old video containing "racist hate speech" resurfaced and led to a fight between two students. 

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