Issaquah HS Students Protest Over Racist Tweet Incident

ISSSQUAH, WA — Students at Issaquah High School walked out of school in protest Wednesday afternoon over a racist photo posted on Twitter related to the school's annual TOLO dance.

The tweet showed two students dressed as referees, one holding a sign that said, "If I was black, I'd be picking cotton. But instead I pick you. TOLO?"

The anti-racism walkout happened around noon and included dozens of students. One of the organizers told KIRO 7 that the image "disgraced our school."

>>>Community responds to Issaquah High School racist tweet controversy

The girl pictured in the photo has responded to the outrage over her TOLO proposal sign. She said she takes responsibility for the sign, but also said that she's not racist.

"The sign was not okay and I’m sorry. It was wrong, it was hurtful, and it reflected me and who I am in a completely distorted way. I have a kind, loving, genuine soul, and I love all humans as humans. It was not my intention to upset anyone by what I wrote and if I could go back and change my actions, I would. It was a mistake that wasn’t thought through," she wrote in an Instagram post.

The sign has been condemned across the school district, from the school board to the Issaquah High School principal. Superintendent Ron Thiele said the district is conducting a full investigation into the incident.

"We are deeply troubled, discouraged and, quite frankly, appalled by the racially insensitive social media post involving Issaquah High School students," he wrote in a statement this week.