Mt. Greenwood Students Expelled For Racist Text Message Are Now Suing For $1M

By Stephen Gossett in News on Dec 6, 2016 4:47PM

Two students who were expelled from Marist High School in November after taking part in a racist text message exchange claim they were “used as scapegoats” in a lawsuit filed anonymously by the girls’ fathers, according to NBC Chicago and the Sun-Times.

The conversation was between 32 girls and it originated from a September religious retreat. The lawsuit reportedly alleges that the girls were promised whatever they said would be confidential. A screenshot that was widely shared on social media showed one girl saying “I F------G HATE N-----S,” another saying HAHAHAHA and a third replying “same.” The two girls who were suspended from Marist are white, according to the reports.

News of the leaked conversation followed a series of tense protests between Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter protesters in Mt. Greenwood, where Marist is located. Some members of the Blue Lives Matter-sympathetic crowd were heard shouting racial slurs and wielding racist signs. The demonstrations came on the heels of the controversial, fatal police-involved shooting of Joshua Beal.

The following Friday, Marist classes were cancelled, along with a scheduled demonstration protest that was to include a demonstration near the school, with each side citing safety concerns.

The suit alleges the two students were expelled “without any formal disciplinary process,” the Sun-Times reports, and Principal Larry Tucker and disciplinary dean Beth O’Neill are both cited as defendants.

Marist released a statement on Nov. 7 that promised corrective measures would be taken in the incident. It read in part:

"This evening Marist High School was made aware of a racially charged post on social media involving Marist students. We are devastated by this situation. Disciplinary action is being taken. Marist is a diverse community, made better and stronger by that diversity. As a school community, we continually work so that each student feels welcome, valued, and safe."

According to the Sun-Times, the lawsuit seeks more than $1 million for invasion of privacy. Additionally, “their fathers want the girls reinstated at the school or else reimbursed $65,000 each for tuition and school costs."