Needham High School students walk out over racist, anti-gay graffiti incidents

NEEDHAM, Mass. — Students at a Needham High School demanded change Friday after racist and anti-gay graffiti was found inside school bathrooms earlier in the week.

School officials say they’ve found hate language at least three times since November.

So on Friday, senior Ashley Love lead her classmates out the front doors of the school.

“This is not the end, this is just the beginning to get the word out,” Love told Boston 25 News.

In a letter to parents this week, the school said, “it cannot and will not be tolerated in this environment because as soon as it is, people are less safe and less able to focus on the learning we are all here for.”

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“Honestly, it didn’t surprise me because stuff like this has been happening for years, like since middle school,” said Kevan Afridi.

Student say they’ve also seen posts on social media, where white students use the N word. Other say they believe the intolerance is being taught at home.

But even in a predominately white community, they want their peers to know they have a voice.

“We’re the minority, but we aren’t going to stand for racism, we’re not going to stand down to anyone,” said Love.

We reached out to district officials, but they haven’t returned our messages seeking comment.

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