A Wisconsin school is standing by the decision to suspend two high school basketball players who posed in a goofy picture holding up what appeared to be gang signs, the Raw Story reports.
Three brothers Jordan, Jamal and Juwaun Jackson had just moved to the district and joined the Sheboygan Falls High School basketball team when they were interviewed for the Sheboygan Falls News in what was intended to be a feel good story.
As a part of an interview, the Jackson brothers posed for a serious picture and a “goofy” picture in their Falcons uniforms, the latter ran in the sports section of the newspaper. The brothers thought nothing of their actions, as the signs are routinely displayed by NBA players Lebron James and Brandon Jennings, the paper’s editor Jeff Pederson notes.
However, District Superintendent Jean Born said the school’s police-liaison officer shed light that the symbols were gang-related. A police investigation into the symbols ensued and the brothers were told the symbols were a part of the Blood gang culture.
“I had no idea,” Jordan explained, “When you make a three, everyone does this sign. You’ve probably seen LeBron James or someone do it. I did the three in the picture, and my little brother pointed at the camera,” Jordan Jackson told TMJ.
Superintendent Born is standing by the school district’s decision to suspend two of the brothers, saying, “District officials followed the athletic code” and they are not releasing the length of the suspension. Unfortunately, the brothers are unable to play in a major game against the high school’s rival today, January 17.
Executive Director Chris Ahmuty of the ACLU of Wisconsin said the organization would be taking action to investigate the case in a statement released on Thursday.
“The ACLU will be seeking information from the schools in order to assess their compliance with pupil non-discrimination rules. The ACLU asks the district to immediately make the brothers eligible to play in tomorrow’s game,” the statement reads.