Controversial Ferguson Protest Poster Removed From Elementary School In Charlestown
CHARLESTOWN (CBS) - A Charlestown elementary school student's art poster referencing the protests in Ferguson, Mo., following the grand jury's decision not to indict a white police officer in the shooting death of a black teen has been removed from display after some expressed that it sends the wrong message.
The poster that was displayed at the Warren Prescott Elementary School in Charlestown features an outstretched black and white hand beneath the name "Ferguson" with the phrase "hands up, don't shoot."
The school's principal said the poster was part of a larger art display with the theme "International Peace for All."
The display is provocative for some who believe it sends a message of mistrust for law enforcement. However, it's also provoked a dialogue that Boston Mayor Marty Walsh believes needs to take place.
"I think we have to have that conversation with young people about what happened in Ferguson and allow them to express themselves," Walsh told WBZ-TV's Beth Germano.
According to a Boston Public schools spokesman the poster was taken down, not because of protest, but because Ferguson had not become part of the classroom discussion.
"We believe our students have every right to express themselves, and that is also our responsibility as a school district to make sure we place all lesson in the proper context," a spokesperson told WBZ-TV.
Mayor Walsh believes a lack of dialogue served to fuel the racial unrest surrounding the events in Ferguson. He sees no problem with the display if action follows.
"Ferguson just happened and I think a lot of people are trying to figure out how do we handle this situation," Walsh said.
The poster may have already helped take the first step.
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