May 17, 2022–4:12 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

The plaintiffs in a civil rights action filed against the Floyd County School System held a news conference across the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Downtown Rome Tuesday.

The action, filed by five African-American students at Coosa High Schools, and their mothers, allege the school system ignored complaints about repeated incidents of racial intimidation and bigotry at the school and that their complaints were ignored.

The plaintiffs allege the school system violated the First Amendment by forbidding Coosa High students from wearing “Black Lives Matter” messaging to school while permitting Confederate flag apparel, and disciplining students for planning a peaceful protest against the Confederate flag.

Floyd County School Superintendent Dr. Glenn White would not specifically address the allegations in the action, but did say:

“Floyd County Schools looks forward to presenting the facts in court….as far as what actually happened.”

You can read the action filed in the federal court below.