Racist Snapchat Prompts Niles North Walkout, Student's Departure

SKOKIE, IL — Students at Niles North High School held an unannounced walkout protest Friday afternoon connected to a perceived lack of punishment for a student who posted an offensive image on social media. But school administrators said student organizers informed them the demonstration was related to a nationwide YWCA anti-racism event, and the district had not yet determined any punishment over the post. A subsequent statement from District 219 issued Sunday evening said the student in question will no longer attend school in the district.

The student sent a Snapchat message showing a hand holding a handgun with the caption, "If youre a n----- I pull the trigger."

Some of those who walked out allegedly believed the student had been suspended for only one day, and many of those who protested by walking out during classes described his punishment as insufficient. Several called on him to be expelled, according to videos and images of the protest showing dozens of students gathered outside the school.

"We want our students and families to know that we take this situation very seriously, as well as the concerns it is causing," said Niles North Principal John Edwards who said the school will not tolerate bigotry.

Niles North administrators said the school was notified earlier in the week of the posting and immediately notified the Skokie Police Department. According to the school, police found the school faced no direct threat.

Speaking about the Snapchat image showing what he described as a BB gun in his hand, the student said he had no intention of threatening anyone. He said his post was meant to be a private joke, "as distasteful as it was."

He said he has already lost his job and faced threats as a result of the post. Some of the students who walked out used it as an excuse to get out of class, he added.

Niles North has not yet officially suspended him for any specific length of time, the student told Patch. After missing school with an eye infection Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, administrators asked him to stay home on Friday and informed him he would need to seek an outside mental health examination, he said.

Video of the walkout posted to social media shows one of the student organizers, 17-year-old junior Jade Hansen, explaining how non-white student have been expelled for non-violent offenses while the student accused of posting a violent and racist threat was believed to have received a one-day suspension.

Hansen later told Patch there may have been some misinformation spread the school, "but the foundation of the protest was clear. Frequent injustice occurs within our school, injustice that is overlooked and or never brought to light."

"This protest was just the beginning," she wrote.

School principal Edwards sent an email to students and parents after 3 p.m. discussing the walkout:

On Friday morning, all students at Niles North were encouraged to participate in an organized walkout in honor of Stand Against Racism Day, a nationwide event sponsored by the YWCA. This afternoon, a number of students walked peacefully outside the school. The organizers of the student-led walkout reported that they were working to add to the momentum of the morning event.

The student organizers made the following statement: “We came together in unity to show that together, we can organize against inequity, racism and other forms of injustice. We the students have the power to elicit change. We are the future and we are committed to continue to work toward equity at Niles North.”

Then, shortly after 6:30 p.m. District 219 issued the following public statement:

On Friday morning, all students and staff at Niles North participated in an organized walkout in honor of Stand Against Racism Day, a nationwide event sponsored by the YWCA.

This afternoon, a number of students initiated an unannounced additional walkout. The students who organized the afternoon walkout informed the Niles North administration that their purpose for the demonstration was to build upon the momentum from the Stand Against Racism event held this morning.

The student organizers made the following statement: “We came together in unity to show that together, we can organize against inequity, racism and other forms of injustice. We the students have the power to elicit change. We are the future and we are committed to continue to work toward equity at Niles North.”

This afternoon, Niles North Principal Jim Edwards sent a note to students and their families to let them know about the walkout. Several students have since articulated that they believed the walkout was to protest what they perceive to be a lack of appropriate action regarding an incident of alleged student misconduct. Reports have been circulating on social media that the discipline or lack of discipline of a student was the reason for the walkout.

Earlier this week, Niles North was notified that a student posted a racist comment with a picture of a BB gun on Snapchat. The school immediately notified the Skokie Police Department, which investigated the matter and determined that the post did not pose a direct threat to the school.

It has been inaccurately reported that District 219 disciplined the student with a one-day suspension. District 219 continues to conduct an investigation to determine what specific action is warranted.

“We want our students and families to know that we take this situation very seriously, as well as the concerns it is causing,” said Principal Edwards. “The very purpose of this morning’s Stand Against Racism is to reinforce the message that Niles North is a school that welcomes everyone and that we will not tolerate bigotry toward others.”

“We recognize that we have an ongoing series of developments around this issue,” Edwards said. “We are working hard to keep our families informed of what is going on within the limits of what we are able to discuss. As always, we remain focused on fostering and maintaining a positive, safe and nurturing environment for all of our students.”

When asked to respond, Hansen sent the following email:

It is untrue that the protest was held to gain momentum for the original stand against racism. This was student organized and student run. Also, our statement is incorrectly quoted due to the fact that the administration was in possession of a rough draft of our statement as student leaders and not the final copy that was read aloud to the school. I admit that there may have been misinformation circulating around the student body, but the foundation of the protest was clear. Frequent injustice occurs within our school, injustice that is overlooked and or never brought to light. The fact that students do not feel safe in their own space, is not right. This was a peaceful protest to encourage unity, justice, and creating a conversation with people in the community. I do not doubt efforts are being taken to ensure safety after speaking with the administration this afternoon, but I do believe this is still a lot of work to be done involving equity. This protest was just the beginning.

District 219 issued an updated statement shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday saying the student will no longer attend Niles North or any D219 schools:

Niles North Principal Jim Edwards sent Niles North students and families a message on the afternoon of April 30 to update them on an issue that has been causing concern.

On April 25, Niles North High School administration was notified that a student posted a racist comment with a picture of a BB gun on Snapchat. The school immediately notified the Skokie Police Department, which investigated the matter and determined that the post did not pose a direct threat to the school.

It has been inaccurately reported that D219 disciplined the student with a one-day suspension. In fact, the student was not in school most of the week, and the district was still investigating what disciplinary action was warranted.

Some students who walked out of school on April 28 stated they did so based on the incorrect information that the student had only been penalized with a one-day suspension.

Several students, parents and faculty members have expressed concern about whether it is safe to attend school on Monday.

D219 can state that the student in question will no longer attend Niles North or any other D219 school.

“Our top priority is fostering and maintaining a positive, safe and nurturing environment for all of our students,” said Niles North Principal Jim Edwards. “This incident has brought up a number of issues relating to how we are addressing inequity and racism in our school and in our school district. We will be holding student forums this week to invite students to share their comments and concerns with us and to help us formulate longer range plans for continuing to make Niles North a more equitable place.”

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Top photo | Niles North Student walkout | Courtesy Matthew Sturt