Second Racist Attack Involving Fairfield HS Students Reported

FAIRFIELD, CT — Two Fairfield siblings have twice in the same week been targets of racist attacks, according to their mother.

Judith Medor said the weekend after her son, Jamar, was the subject of a racist Snapchat post, Jamar’s brother, Jake, received a video call from several Fairfield Ludlowe High School students, who called him a racial slur.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m speechless,” Judith said. “I have no idea what they’re being taught at home.”

Jamar is a sophomore at Fairfield Warde High School and Jake is a freshman.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said Judith, whose sons are Black. “It’s just a constant worry, a fear to me right now.”

The student who created the Snapchat post took a picture of Jamar without his knowledge and overlaid it with text that included a racial slur. Jamar did not know the poster, his mother said. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with second-degree breach of peace and ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race, according to police.

School district officials acknowledged Wednesday that a second racist incident, involving Warde and Ludlowe students, had occurred over the weekend. In a message to parents and staff, Superintendent Mike Cummings said that after an investigation, appropriate actions were taken.

“As we continue our equity work as a district, we recognize that this is a journey, not a destination,” Cummings said in the message. “There will be missteps along the way, and while we are extremely disturbed by these incidents, they provide learning that can and will inform our work.”

Fairfield police were not notified about the incident that happened during the weekend.

As news of the second incident was released, an online petition calling for the expulsion of the student behind the racist Snapchat post was gaining traction. As of early Wednesday evening, it had over 22,000 signatures.

Fairfield officials have repeatedly said the district does not disclose disciplinary action taken against students, but Medor said she was told the boy who created the post was suspended for 10 days and that a hearing will be held to determine if he will be expelled.

Medor, who said she wants the student expelled, has contacted the Greater Bridgeport NAACP and intends to pursue civil action.