Nebraskans agree that high school activities and athletic events should be a place where being a good sport is the common standard and where students of all backgrounds are treated with respect.
Disappointingly, hateful and racist taunts have been repeatedly directed towards students of color at several recent school-sponsored athletic events.
Comments such as "go back to where you came from" and chants of "build the wall" have been directed at Latinx students in Lexington. Racist remarks resulted in a physical altercation following a girls' basketball game between Lincoln High and Fremont High Schools.
The ACLU of Nebraska is pushing for change with the Immigrant Legal Center, Latino American Commission, LasVoces Grand Island, LasVoces Lincoln, Lincoln Commission on Human Rights, Nebraska Hispanic Bar Association, Nebraska Indian Education Association, Stand in for Lincoln, and the Trinidad Center.
We're asking you to add your voice to those calling for change.
Sign our petition to tell the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) to make school athletic events safer and more welcoming for everyone by collecting data on racist incidents taking place across the state, ensuring penalties are applied to teams repeatedly participating in this kind of conduct, and establishing a public complaint process for people who witness concerning behavior.
Our community has shown incredible support to students targeted by these hateful comments, but we don't want it to stop there. We want to make it clear that hate has no home in our state.
Remember, We the People means all of us. Let's make sure all kids feel safe stepping onto the court, field, or track.
