A 14-year-old Sikh boy near Seattle is recovering from a brutal beating videotaped and posted on social media.
The boy’s father says the attack from behind is an indication of the deep racial divisions in the city, but KIRO reports the school district denies the attack had anything to do with hate. Instead they say it is connected to a dispute which spilled from the campus at Kentridge High School in Kent.
The school does acknowledge that social media posts about the beating have generated much hate speech.
“I am feeling so, so bad because this happened with my son. They beat him from the backside and hurt him too much. This is a very big thing for me, here in America, in the U.S., because I can’t imagine, I can’t explain or myself how I am feeling,” said the victim’s father, who refused to give his name.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund said on Facebook that it is “engaging with the local community and law enforcement and will alert the community of any updates.”
According to Indian New England, Kent is a home to many Sikhs. It said the beating has sparked calls for justice from parents and community members demanding the attackers be brought to justice.
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