Students of Spring Valley School Stage A Walk-Out In Support of Officer Who Flipped Their Colleagues

by Benson Agoha | International

Hundreds of students from the Spring Valley School where a White Police Officer flipped a female student before arresting her, have staged a walk out from lecture in his support.

The officer who is facing official inquiry and suspension for his action, has not been seen in public since the incidence, a week ago.

Woolwich Onlne reported on Wednesday 28th October, 2015 how a fellow student gave an account in which he said Officer Ben Fields had done no wrong by flipping the girl after repeated appeals was not respected by the girl. She was arrested and later released to her parents.

But as angry protests erupted in some quarters, several civil rights groups banded together and called for the dismissal of all charges against any students involved.

They also called for the prosecution of Deputy Ben Fields, as well as the firing of the principal, teacher and administrator involved.

Indeya Assatta, the organizer of the rally reportedly said Deputy Ben Fields' actions were deplorable and that someone has to stand up for young people. The officer was placed on an unpaid leave as the incident reverberated.

But as students gathered in their school atrium to ask from their teacher what the situation was, it became clear their teacher would be punished.

So when the teacher explained to them that the school was only involved in the business of teaching and learning, and that they should return to their classes, they began an instant protest and stayed out of their classrooms.

During the protest on Friday, most wore T-shirts with messages calling for the return of the police officer.

According to the Inquisitr, a senior female student by name of London Harrell was one of the students to participate in the walkout. She said she wanted her opinion to be heard by those who made the decision to fire Deputy Fields.

“We just want to show that we’re still supporting him and everything and that he’s still a good guy, and everything and we don’t want his reputation to be ruined because of something that happened on Monday,” Harrell said.

Spring Valley High Principal Jeff Temoney sent a letter to the student’s parents following the walkout, explaining what had happened.

“I addressed the students to let them know that we understood their need to make their voices heard,” Temoney wrote. “Then I reminded them that Spring Valley High is all about the business of teaching and learning, so it’s time to go back to class.”

At least one student caught Temoney’s words on video and shared them on social media.

“We’ve heard your voices, okay,” the administrator told the protesters. “We appreciate you taking time to do this, but again, as you know, we always focus on teaching and learning, so let’s head on back to class.”

While some accuse the officer of racism, others said he might have used escersive force on the girl but was not racist. Yet many others insist the girl was to blame for how she was treated.

With myriads of stories flying around, it is left to be seen how this issue will eventually be sorted.

Some of the stories flying around include these ones below.