School Sued for Handcuffing Child
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A first grader in New Orleans is the new poster child for excessive school discipline. The boy, identified as J.W., was arrested, handcuffed and allegedly shackled to a desk by school police after arguing with another child over a seat in the lunchroom. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a class action lawsuit Thursday in Federal Court, claiming the arrest for a minor violation of school rules is unlawful and a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Read the complaint here. The complaint names the elementary school principal, school superintendent and security director, and was filed on behalf of all children in the school. SPLC Attorney Thena Robinson says, "We’re hopeful this [lawsuit] will send a powerful message. We have to treat kids with dignity. There are ways to keep kids safe and treat them with dignity." The boy’s father, Sebastian Weston, says his son was treated like an animal is now terrified of school. Watch his statement in this video from WWL-TV
A spokesman for the Recovery School District confirms the incident happened May 6, and two security officers were fired, but would not comment further.