At Lawyers for Civil Rights, we are seeing a disturbing pattern of escalating bullying incidents in schools. This is not a string of isolated incidents; it’s a bullying crisis — an epidemic taking hold in far too many schools.
In Southwick, a girl was sold at a “slave auction.”
In Brookline, a boy was pinned to the floor with a knee on his neck while another student mockingly shouted “George Floyd,” effectively reenacting the murder that shocked the nation.
In Melrose, students of color have been targeted with repeated acts of humiliation, including the cutting of a Black girl’s braids in the middle of class.
Similar incidents have unfolded in Millbury.
This misconduct is not confined to classrooms. Bullying is happening in school athletics, with troubling incidents reported in Pittsfield and Worcester. Students have also faced harassment tied to the TV show “Heated Rivalry,” including LGBTQ+ hockey players being targeted on and off the ice.
Despite this pattern, sports authorities such as the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) have failed to take meaningful action.
At the same time, federal oversight has weakened. The closure of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights field offices has led to the withdrawal of cases despite a growing volume of complaints.
LCR will continue to support students. Check out LCR’s model policy, designed to help school districts adopt clear, enforceable guidance to keep all students safe.
