NEW ORLEANS — The Southern Poverty Law Center announced in a press release that they have submitted a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding what they defined as "pervasive and ongoing" discrimination against students and families in the Jefferson Parish School District.
The press release said that the complaint described "numerous" civil rights violations against students of color, multilingual students and families, students experiencing homelessness and students with disabilities.
According to the press release, there were multiple documented incidents of racial and ethnic bullying and those who spoke up faced retaliation.
During Black History Month, students at a predominately white school posted a picture of a Black student with a racist caption. The complaint alleges that the school did not properly investigate the incident or keep the victims safe from the perpetrators.
The press release also raised concerns about the district's plan to move and close schools, claiming it has a disproportionate impact on Black and Latino students.
"The overall student population for the Jefferson Parish School District is 34% Black, 37% Hispanic and 22 % white," the press release said. "However, the schools announced for closure predominantly serve Black and Latino students, according to the complaint."
The SPLC said that they and local advocacy groups have been tracking numerous civil rights violations and discrimination complaints in the district since the start of the 2021-2022 school year. They also said that they have gotten multiple local civil rights groups to sign on the complaint.
"The SPLC and its coalition members are requesting a meeting with the Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division and subsequent intervention to remedy these civil rights violations," the press release said. "Multiple local civil rights and advocacy groups have signed on to the letter from SPLC, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Step Up Louisiana, Rejoice, Inc., Friends of Dandrige and Supporters of Washington, Inc."
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