Andover Rallies For George Floyd As AHS Responds To Racist Posts

ANDOVER, MA — Hundreds rallied in Andover Monday in a protest in honor of George Floyd and other victims of police violence.

The protest came after a weekend when Andover's school community was roiled by racist social media posts that were publicly shared on Instagram. A former Andover student shared a set of racist posts, which were picked up by town Facebook groups.

In a letter to the school community, Andover Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman said the high school administration is aware of the posts and is investigating. The posts feature white students using the n-word.

Against this backdrop, hundreds of protesters rallied around Andover's Shawsheen Square, Monday afternoon. The demonstration was organized by Merrimack Valley Shows Up For Social And Racial Justice and Andover Area Solidarity Group.

"Show up with your mask for a socially/physically distanced rally to honor George Floyd and all victims of police violence," organizers asked. "Bring a sign - Not One More, Black Lives Matter, Solidarity with Minneapolis and Louisville, remembering George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (and so many more), COVID Crisis puts structural racism on full display."

Demonstrators lined the streets with signs to the point that organizers had to ask them to spread further toward Brickstone Square and Main Street, to allow maximum distancing. Police estimated attendance at 750. Multiple local departments were brought in to police the demonstration.

Police closed one lane of traffic during the demonstration, which included a car procession.

Protesters held signs reading, "How many more?", "All lives can't matter until black lives matter," "silence is violence" and more.

Video by an attendee showed the scale of the protest.

At the Select Board meeting following the demonstration, Selectman Ann Gilbert noted the local context of the protest or racist social media posts by Andover High students.

"The investigation is underway, but the damage is very real," she said.

In an Instagram post Saturday, Andover High School graduate Iris Choo shared the posts.

"If you're from Andover and do not believe that our town is plagued with racism and prejudice, then you are tragically misinformed," Choo wrote.

In the first post, an Instagram video, a girl repeatedly says the n-word. In the second, a girl wearing a face mask refers to herself using the word in a snapchat caption.

The third is not linked to the school, but is a picture of a truck with a black lives matter flag and a sign that reads, "This flag flies in opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement. By flying it, I demonstrate, first and foremost, my indifference to the victims of police brutality."

Berman said in his letter that the incidents are under investigation.

"These incidents violate our Andover High School student handbook policies on Non-Discrimination, Harassment and create a hostile learning environment," Berman wrote. "Each incident has been or will be fully investigated and brought to the attention of the Andover Police Department. APS does not tolerate or condone the content of these posts in any way."

Berman also commented on the national context of the protests.

"The death of George Floyd is a travesty and reveals that the pain and suffering created by the racism that is still so present within our country," he wrote. "Whether the incidents take place across the country or in our neighborhood, they run counter to our core values and beliefs of providing a safe, supportive and equitable learning environment for all."

In her Instagram post, Choo also noted the town's demographics — over 80 percent white, very high income and separated by a bridge from Lawrence, a town that is over 80 percent Hispanic and much lower income.

"This post was made solely with the intention of raising awarness of the issues we have in our town," Choo wrote. "We need to address the racism instead of sweeping it under the rug."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.