ML, Yakima in joint probe of alleged racist incident

MOSES LAKE — Both the Moses Lake and Yakima school districts will be conducting an investigation into allegations of racist abuse aimed at parents and students from Davis High School at a Moses Lake High School basketball game on Dec. 14.

According to a press release from Moses Lake Superintendent Josh Meek, both districts have contracted with Summit Law Group to do the actual investigation into the incident.

The investigation is scheduled to start today, the press release said. The law firm has offices in Seattle and Kennewick and has no ties to either the MLSD or the Yakima School District, according to the MLSD.

At least one Davis High School parent complained that some Moses Lake students attending the Saturday night basketball game responded with rude gestures and racial slurs when he asked the students to quiet down.

“We are deeply troubled by these claims and reports, and are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this,” Meek said. “A culture of hate is in no way acceptable, and if these reports are validated, then corrective action will occur.”

“But most importantly, this must serve as a continuing lesson of acceptance and respect that we teach our students,” Meek added.

“I am grateful that we live in a time where oppressive and racist behavior are neither ignored nor sanctioned,” said Yakima Schools Superintendent Trevor Greene. “As we seek to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., this month, it is not enough to pass a school district proclamation about Dr. King’s influence on our country. We must live by his words and recognize that, ‘For evil to succeed, all it needs is for good men to do nothing.’”

Greene added he looks forward to working with the MLSD and either exposing and condemning “racist behaviors” or proving the allegations “to be a misrepresentation of the Moses Lake community.”

According to the press release, both superintendents will continue to work closely and coordinate to “address the allegations and get to the root of what transpired.”

No time frame was given for the completion of the investigation.