A lawsuit claims that a Minnesota elementary school teacher purposely segregated Black children in her class and assaulted three of them according to CBS Minnesota. One of the children she assaulted was a 7-year-old boy who was choked in front of his fellow classmates. The civil rights lawsuit also claims that the school district knew about what was taking place and failed to respond.
Parent Kirsten Lindsey is suing Roseville Area Schools and teacher Geraldine Cook for racial discrimination, unequal protection, battery, and negligent supervision according to the news station. According to the suit, Lindsey’s son, who has learning difficulties was in Cook’s class when he went to Harambee Elementary School at the start of last school year.
At first Lindsey who volunteered at the school expressed her concerns with Cook after she allegedly told her she had trouble with her few Black students. Lindsey said that Cook made the Black students sit at one section of the classroom. Lindsey says she told principal Delon Smith, but nothing was done. Then when the teacher once again complained to Lindsey about her Black students Lindsey brought her concerns to the principal, but nothing changed.
The lawsuit says Cook assaulted at least three Black students in her class, one female student said that Cook pulled on her arm so hard it ripped the shirt she was wearing. Another male student said that Cook pushed, shoved and “smooshed the faces” of Black students. Lindsey son was strangled in class according to the suit. A several students told the principal that Cook choked Lindsey’s son for gurgling water and walked him to the principal’s office with his hands behind his back.
Lindsey claims she only found out about the choking incident after Cook was removed from the classroom, which prompted her to ask questions. Smith, the principal didn’t immediately tell her about the incident. Lindsey’s son was examined for psychological problems, the suit says. The results of the examination showed he was suffering from a recent trauma. Once Lindsey learned the results she transferred her son to another school.
The lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount in compensation.
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