Illinois students walk out to protest classmates accused of racist harassment of Black athletes

Lincoln-Way East students chanted “No place for racism” after five students at their school were identified in the incident.

Students at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Ill., walked out of class Wednesday after one acknowledged racist harassment incident and a second disputed allegation involving Homewood-Flossmoor High School, by students at their school.

The protest began around 11:50 a.m. at the school, CBS News Chicago reported. Students chanted “No place for racism” and said they wanted to stand with Homewood-Flossmoor while making clear that the actions of some classmates did not represent the entire Lincoln-Way East student body.

The first incident happened during a Sept. 4 varsity football game at Homewood-Flossmoor. District officials said five Lincoln-Way East student fans engaged in racist harassment toward Homewood-Flossmoor students in the bleachers. Video shared online appeared to show students making monkey gestures and noises.

Lincoln-Way East apologized, said the five students had been identified and promised discipline under district policies. Because those involved are minors, the school has not disclosed what punishment they received.

A second allegation emerged from a girls’ cross-country meet the following day. Homewood-Flossmoor athletes said a Lincoln-Way East coach made comments about “running past those monkeys,” and that some team members then made racist noises and gestures.

Lincoln-Way East disputes that account. The district said its coaches were discussing an area of the course known as “The Jungle” and maintained that the conversation was misunderstood.

The Illinois High School Association has opened a separate investigation into the cross-country allegation. Homewood-Flossmoor officials have also said they are considering legal action over both incidents.

Some Lincoln-Way East students said the school’s response did not go far enough. Walkout organizer Ocean Myrick said she wanted to show support for Homewood-Flossmoor students, while others said racism had been an ongoing problem at the school.

The Illinois Education Association also condemned the football-game harassment and said students subjected to racism should know the public education community stands with them.

The Lincoln-Way East walkout turned the focus from the students accused of racist behavior to classmates publicly rejecting it, while pressure now shifts to school leaders and the IHSA to determine what accountability follows.