District: Roosevelt athletes were victims of racist behavior at Lynbrook, Wantagh games

A notice of claim alleges Roosevelt students were spit on, screamed at and called racially charged names by opposing students in the crowd.

News 12 Staff

May 4, 2023, 11:18 PM

Updated 449 days ago

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The Roosevelt Union Free School District claims its athletes were the victims of racist behavior during some away games this year.
School officials for Roosevelt say it happened to students on the girls cheerleading teams and the boys basketball team during games against Lynbrook and Wantagh high schools in February.
A notice of claim alleges Roosevelt students were spit on, screamed at and called racially charged names by opposing students in the crowd.
The district is now filing a lawsuit and demanding action by the schools, as well as Section 8 Athletics, for allegedly failing to keep student athletes safe.
"This Board of Education, this superintendent and this community will not stand by and tolerate anyone hurting our children anywhere," says
Roosevelt School District Board of Education President Rose Gietschier.
Section 8 Athletics released a statement to News 12 saying that it is following all policies concerning a complain of this nature.
Lynbrook and Wantagh high schools said they would not comment on the pending litigation.


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