Cummings Statement on Verdict in School Violence Case

Statement

Cummings Statement on Verdict in School Violence Case

Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (Md.-7) released the following statement in response to the acquittal of a 16-year-old student who was charged with the assault of her teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School in a case that made national headlines after a video of the fight recorded on someone's cell phone was released to the media:

"While justice has been decided in this particular case, we must not turn away without also resolving the broader case of the systemic violence that is plaguing our schools. This tragic incident was instrumental in opening eyes nationwide to the problems that are distracting our children in their day to day lives. We must continue to come together as a community and help put an end to school violence.

"Dr. Nancy Grasmick and I have hosted two school violence prevention summits, bringing together teachers, parents, students, and community leaders to have frank discussions about the extent of the problem and to brainstorm solutions to help make our schools a safer environment for young people. The responses at these events have been overwhelming, and we are confident that—by coming together and respecting every party involved—we will be successful in achieving our goal of safe, violence-free schools. We must have a zero-tolerance policy with regard to violence in our schools.

"While the road ahead of us is a long one, we have by no means embarked on an impossible journey. My interactions with high school students, their parents, and their teachers have given me hope for a new day for our public schools. I look to the example of the effects of the Virtues Program at Kenwood High School, where students, teachers, and administrators abide by 52 character traits to improve communication skills and prevent their interactions from escalating into violence.

"My thoughts and prayers are with both Ms. Jolita Berry and the student involved in this incident as they move forward and continue the healing process."

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