Greenwich HS Students Stage 'Die-In' Protest

It was a ‘die-in’ for about 100 Greenwich High School students who gathered in the courtyard of the Hillside Road campus Monday morning to protest what they said is “an undeniable pattern of racism and inequality in law enforcement in America.”

The “GHS Can’t Breathe’ protest was organized over the weekend on Facebook in response to grand juries not filing criminal indictments against Ferguson, MO Police Officer Darren Wilson who fatally shot Michael Brown, and against New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo who used a choke hold on Eric Garner on Staten Island.

Greenwich High School Student Government President Blake Reinken organized the protest that drew about 100 students — some wearing shorts — who laid on the frigid courtyard bricks for about five minutes at the beginning of lunch. Students who didn’t have a free period or lunch, would receive tardy notices or unexcused absences, for participating in the protest, according to Reinken.

Reinken, who said the event was not endorsed by the student government council, said, “Let’s both further the national discussion and start a discussion in our own community about the relationship between law enforcement and minorities. Let’s make a statement that we stand against any cruel or unequal treatment of minorities by police in our community and all communities throughout America.”

Reinken said, “We’re not here to protest any one shooting … rather the undeniable pattern of racism and inequality in law enforcement in America.” He added, “Eric Garner was the catalyst for all that has unfolded … there are thousands of cases happening throughout America.”

Reinken also said, “It’s a movement and a protest … It’s safe to say based on what we see today that a lot of people care about this issues.”

Madison Blair, another Greenwich HS senior who helped organize Monday’s “die-in,” said, “Greenwich Can’t Breathe doesn’t align with the beliefs of some students. But we are a subset of Greenwich High School.

As the students lay on the ground, school administrators including Headmaster Dr. Chris Winters and Assistant Dean Dave Walko watched from the far end of the courtyard. Greenwich Police School Resource Officers also were seen keeping an eye on the event.

School Superintendent Dr. William McKersie was inside the glass corridor that runs along the courtyard where dozens more students gathered. When McKersie opened a set of doors in the corridors, many students flooded outside — some to join the protest, others to take photos. Winters could not be reached for comment.

“They (police) should not be able to kill civilians and not be charged,” said another student, Kailee Donnelly.

Reinken said he hopes to meet with local officials, including police to discuss racial profiling and issues in the community.

Senior Daisy Ramos said that she’s witnessed racial profiling as a child of Hispanic immigrants who moved to Greenwich several years ago. Ramos said Greenwich Police “would stop my father and ask him why he’s in Greenwich, what was he doing? They came to our house to see if there was anything illegal.”

In response to Ramos’ allegations, Greenwich Police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray said, “We think it’s wonderful that the students exercised their First Amendment rights. The police department takes this matter very seriously. The chief has many avenues in place including a citizens complaint board.”

Gray also said that the department offers many outreach opportunities for residents to learn more about the department and its officers, ranging from the Police Explorers program for teens to the Citizens Police Academy for both adults and teens. And complaints about any officer’s action can be filed on-line via the town’s website.

Photos: Greenwich High School students’ ‘die-in;’ Student government president Blake Reinken; senior Daisy Ramos; students exit the ‘glass corridor’ to join the protest; students watch the protest; school superintendent Dr. William McKerside; students protesting.

Photo credit: Barbara Heins.

Have a news tip? Email barbara.heins@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.