BUFFALO, N.Y. — An investigation is underway in the Williamsville Central School District after some controversial comments were made during a lacrosse game on Wednesday.
The incident allegedly happened between Williamsville South and Lake Shore High School.
In a video posted to social media, you hear an adult say quote, "they are animals" and another racially offensive phrase.
2 On Your Side reached out to the Lake Shore Central School District for their comment. Don Pacos, Superintendent of Lake Shore schools issued this statement:
"The Lake Shore Central School District is appreciative of the Williamsville Central School District's response to racist comments made by one or more spectators at our boys' varsity lacrosse game earlier this week. Lake Shore CSD appreciates our long standing positive relationship with the Seneca Nation and its residents, and the support they and our neighboring school districts have shown Lake Shore, our students, and their families as we stand together against racism and bias against any of our children."
Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. issued this statement:
“On Wednesday, April 26, Native American high school athletes experienced a shocking incident of hate speech during a lacrosse game between Lake Shore High School (a school with a significant number of Seneca students) and Williamsville South High School. A spectator at the event was caught on camera spewing racist and disgusting hate speech towards the Native American athletes on the Lake Shore team. Not only are these comments deeply disrespectful and hurtful to our young athletes, the person making them put ignorance and lack of human decency on display for all to see and hear. Lacrosse is an event we hold sacred, making the comments all the more egregious. We cannot and will not accept this behavior from anyone and hope that this individual is held accountable for their blatantly racist taunts.
Just days ago, New York State implemented a long-overdue rule prohibiting schools from using Native American names, logos and mascots. It was a step toward finally respecting our people, our culture and our heritage in the public realm. One individual at Williamsville South illustrated how far we still have to go. Imagine a teenage student athlete being ridiculed and reduced – by an adult no less – to a hurtful caricature based on their background and the color of their skin. It’s shameful.
We call on Williamsville South High School and Section VI to investigate the incident and make right a moment that marred the evening for all athletes. It is our expectation that the offending spectator will be identified and that appropriate actions will be taken to prevent this individual from spreading further hate and racism at any future sporting contests. Their behavior is a stain on the community and only keeps our society mired in incivility.”
The superintendent of Salamanca City Central School District, Dr. Mark D. Beehler, also condemned the comments.