Two seniors at Marist High School in Chicago filed a lawsuit Monday alleging they were “used as scapegoats” earlier this year when school administrators expelled them for participating in a racist group text.
In total, 32 girls—who ABC 7 reports met at a religious retreat—were included in what they thought “would be [a] strictly confidential” conversation Five of the women were expelled after screenshots surfaces showing one participant writing, “I f*cking hate n****rs,” and other members of the group agreeing.
The suit alleges those screenshots were doctored and argues the students were punished “without an formal disciplinary process.” It also says the women were "labeled as racists and used as scapegoats by Marist to respond to an array of social media criticisms and media pressure.”
The school declined to comment on the girls’ suit but did release a statement last month saying the community is “devastated by this situation.”
"Disciplinary action is being taken," the November 7 statement read. ”As a school community, we continually work so that each student feels welcome, valued, and safe.”
The girls are seeking $65,000 each for school tuition and more than $1 million for privacy invasion.
