Students Drive by Newton North Waving Confederate Flag

NEWTON, MA – A video of students unfurling a Confederate flag outside of Newton North high school has prompted an investigation by police and North deans.

In a letter to the North community, Principal Henry Turner said the incident took place on Tiger Drive on Tuesday. He wrote that those involved had been identified as a "small group of Newton North students."

The video was posted on Facebook by a student at Newton North High School and shared by Black Lives Matter Cambridge.

"There are members of the North community who are deeply upset and hurt by the actions of these individuals," Turner wrote. "At North we strive to celebrate our diversity and create safe and supportive learning environments for all."

In an emailed statement Thursday, Newton Superintendent David Fleishman said:

The incident that occurred earlier this week at Newton North is deeply troubling. While the students involved have been identified, North will be working with our faculty and peer leadership groups to determine the most effective way to address this incident and move forward. The Newton Public Schools is committed to creating a school community that is welcoming and inclusive for all. As a school district, we strive to celebrate and draw strength from our diversity. We will continue this challenging work so that our students feel safe and supported in our schools.

Photo of Confederate flag in Biloxi by Flickr user Edward Stojakovic, via Creative Commons