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Officials Investigating 'racism, Neglect' Charges

Officials Investigating 'racism, Neglect' Charges image
Parent Issue
Day
22
Month
May
Year
1969
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
OCR Text

Ann Arbor school officials declined comment today on charges leveled last night by local civil rights leader Ezra Rowry that "practices of racism" and "neglect of duty" at Scarlett Junior High School led to racial incidents there this week. Rowry made his allegations near the end of last night's Ann Arbor Board of Education meeting. He later told reporters he plans to file complaints about the "racism" and "neglect of duty" at Scarlett with the Ann Arbor Public Schools' Human Relations Director, the Ann Arbor Human Relations Commission and the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. Scarlett Principal Joseph A. Vachon and School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. said they would reserve comment until the official investigation of the incidents is completed. Rowry said there were two separate fights Monday and Wednesday at Scarlett between black and white youths. He talked also about an incident Tuesday when a white Scarlett youth was beaten in the school by three black youths- two from Huron High School and the third a former Huron student. The boy was not seriously hurt, and returned to school the next day. He was not attacked with any weapons. It was a "bare fist" fight, according to Westernman. Pólice were called to the building. Eowry charged. that "intimidation" of both black youths and some long-haired white youths had been practiced since January by certain white boys - including the one b e a t e n Tuesday. The Scarlett principal and faculty knew what was happening, Rowry alleged, but "refused to do anything about it." Rowry crticized the calling of Ann Arbor Pólice to the school. "We don't need a pólice state. All that is needed is for school officials to acknowledge what is going on." Westerman said last night there is "no reticence in this school district to make use of our pólice officers when needed." He said there were no plans for pólice protection this week at any of the schools (with the exception of Ann Arbor High, which has a fulltime pólice officer on duty), but he said all principáis are aware they may cali on the pólice when they feel it is necessary. Several Scarlett parents attended last night's meeting and asked for a report on the incidents. One mother said she thought the situation was "serious enough" to keep her two daughters out of Scarlett. The two Huron students have been suspended pending the completion of the investigation and parental conferences. Westerman said a full report on the incidents will be made public when the investigation is completed.