Racist graffiti at Attleboro High School prompts swift response

By: Kainani Stevens

kstevens@abc6.com

ATTLEBORO, M.A. – Racist graffiti written on a bathroom wall at Attleboro High School has the community on edge after one image referenced the KKK and threatening African Americans, and the other showed support for President Elect Donald Trump.

"This is not what Attleboro high school and blue pride is all about and it’s something that we feel is a cowardly act," said Principal of Attleboro High School, Bill Runey.

Attleboro Principal Bill Runey told ABC6 News the school acted quickly on Tuesday after pictures of the graffiti made the rounds on social media.

"I had the custodial staff remove it immediately so that no one else would see it and be offended by it," said Principal Runey.

Principal Runey will have custodial staff checking all bathrooms after every period during the school day to make sure nothing like this happens again.

This incident being the latest example in an uptick of racially charged incidents nationwide since the presidential election.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey even launched a hotline for people to report any hate crimes.

Runey states recent class debates and mock elections make the situation at Attleboro High surprising.

"The decorum and the approach of the students during those endeavors was fabulous so unfortunately the actions of one have affected the other 1700 that we have in the building,” said Principal Runey.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016