Antisemitic Complaints Investigated At Staples-Cheshire Game

CHESHIRE, CT — Officials are continuing to investigate reports of antisemitic and racist incidents during Friday night’s football game between Cheshire and Staples-Westport at Cheshire High School.

Westport students complained to Cheshire police during the game that Cheshire students were waving an Israeli flag that they felt was an effort to insult their religion, according to officials.

WFSB 3 reported that the Westport school district first became aware of the situation when images and posts began to surface on social media.

Westport Superintendent Thomas Scarice cautioned the community over the weekend to take a “measured approach” to the allegations given the “volatility of social media,” according to WFSB 3.

Cheshire Superintendent Jeffrey Solan issued a statement Sunday night “to provide some context and clarity” about what happened during the game.

“To be clear, the investigation is in no way complete at this time,” Solan said. “It is important that people with first-hand information continue to share that information with the administration at Cheshire High School or Staples High School in Westport. That being said, we believe that it is important to release what we know at this time.

“There was a complaint made to Cheshire Police Officers that Cheshire High School students were waving an Israeli flag. A Cheshire High School administrator was subsequently informed that the Westport students felt that this was an effort to insult their religion and the administrator immediately directed the Cheshire students to put the flag away. The Cheshire High School students holding the blue and white flag who were themselves in fact Jewish, were doing so as part of a red, white, and blue theme the student section was celebrating that night. Those Cheshire students were actually confused and concerned that they were directed to put the flag of their heritage away without any understanding of why.

“Allegations about the presence of a Confederate flag being waved and insulting chants have also been made. A thorough review of images as well as preliminary questioning of those present Friday evening have not yet substantiated that allegation.

“It is deeply concerning that America is experiencing a period of elevated anti-Semitic acts. The Cheshire Public Schools is deeply opposed to any expression of hate and remains committed to aggressively addressing such behavior.

“The Cheshire Public Schools is incredibly grateful to have continuous communication and collaboration with the Westport Public Schools and the Connecticut Anti Defamation League since these alarming allegations surfaced. Again, Cheshire and Westport Public Schools will continue to investigate these allegations as we share the common goal of addressing any and all expressions of hate within our respective communities and will not rest until we are sure that this situation has been fully addressed.”

Scarice sent a similar message to the Westport community, saying the waving of the Israeli flag was “not intended to intimidate Jewish people or motivated by antisemitism.”

Scarice also said the district immediately sought input from the state’s Anti-Defamation League office because of the “rise in reports of antisemitic and racist incidents.”

“The Cheshire Public Schools administration and the Cheshire Police Department have been most collaborative and in constant communication with our administration and police department, sharing information and supporting each other’s investigation,” Scarice wrote in the message. “We are most grateful for this cooperation.”

Scarice said Cheshire police body cam footage confirmed that Staples cheerleaders complained about the waving of the Israeli flag and the administrator directed the students to put it away. He also said that at this point in the investigation — which includes the review of photos, video, and interviews with students, staff and police – there is no “corroborating evidence to substantiate the presence of a Confederate flag.”

“That said, the Westport Public Schools is fully committed to finishing our investigation by speaking with every student or community member personally impacted by these events,” Scarice said. “We will listen to each first person eyewitness account of these events and will reserve actions before concluding our investigation. Receiving this information from our Cheshire colleagues is helpful, yet we must fulfill our obligations to listen to each and every account. The administration will continue these efforts and provide ongoing updates to the community.

“It is critical that the community understands the level of transparency and thoroughness that we have taken.

“The Westport Public Schools, and ADL, along with the Cheshire Public Schools, remain committed to fighting antisemitism and racism in any form and remain united in that effort. School administrators will be available to discuss this situation with any students who wish to do so. We are continuing to gather facts from eyewitnesses, so please allow us the time needed to fully assess what occurred and determine the appropriate response.”