Abby Kelley Admin Criticized Over Colin Kaepernick Poster Removal

WORCESTER, MA- Members of the student council at Abby Kelley Foster Charter Pubic School were hanging hand-drawn posters for black history month outside the school cafeteria on Friday when controversy stirred about one poster in particular.

A student-drawn poster depicting former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling was supposed to hang outside the cafeteria surrounded by photos of victims who died after suffering police brutality. According to students, assistant principal Robert Kerr took offense to the poster since he has family members who are police officers. Kerr spoke to one of the students hanging the poster, student council member and senior William Gitau, and told him the poster could stay but a poster honoring police officers should hang next to it, according to Gitau. The students decided to remove the poster.

"We felt that would take away from the message we were trying to send and bring attention to," Gitau said. He added that the point of the poster was not to put down police but to remember those who died from police brutality. "We are grateful to those officers who do their jobs but we want to bring attention to those who also abuse their power," Gitau said.

Abby Kelley's Executive Director, Brian Haas, said in a statement that students were never forced to remove the poster and it will be allowed to display again on Monday, when students return from their break. "The discussion was civil, and was meant to be educational. At no time did Mr. Kerr suggest taking the poster down. In fact, he told the student he could leave it up, but the student ultimately decided to remove the poster," Haas said.

Haas added that a meeting will be held between all parties involved as well as a social media discussion with students and families. "We think it is important for students and members of the administration to talk about - and understand - each other’s perspective," Haas said.

Naleigha Evans, vice president of the student council, said the event highlighted the racial tension in the school. "We are a predominantly black high school and we refuse to be ignored or have our people’s voices be disregarded," Evans said.

According to state data, of the 1,500 students at Abby Kelley, just over half of the student body, 51 percent, is African American.

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Photo Credit: Naleigha Evans