Students hold protest, walk out of Olympia high school

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — Students at River Ridge High School in Olympia walked out of class and protested Monday morning.

The Black Student Union organized the walkout in hopes to put an end to racism and rape culture within schools, according to flyers for the “BSU student strike.”

More than 100 students walked out of class.

The protest was in support a student athlete who was recently subjected to racist taunts during a basketball game.

Students carried signs and chanted “Black lives matter” and “we have rights.”

A KIRO 7 photojournalist asked the protesters what action they think is needed.

“Change, and our voices need to be heard. And administrators need to hear how we feel, (what) people have gone through. Change needs to be made and discipline needs to happen,” said River Ridge student Camille Demonte.

The Olympia School District issued an apology regarding the taunts directed at a Black player from River Ridge during a game with Capital High School.

©2022 Cox Media Group