UK TREND : Racist attack on a schoolgirl sparks outrage on Twitter

10 February 2023

A “serious racially aggravated assault” on a black teenager outside a school in Ashford, Surrey, is the subject of five arrests, according to the police. Surrey police were called after a fight broke out outside Thomas Knyvett college on Monday afternoon, and they later detained a 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, and two 11-year-old girls on suspicion of attempting to cause great bodily harm based on race.

Calls for the dismissal of the school principal after the racist attack

Onlookers can be heard shouting, “Kick her in the face,” as the black schoolgirl is shown being punched, kicked, and having her braids pulled out in video that has been shared online. The topic has been trending on Twitter since the video’s spread, with people expressing their outrage over it. They have been calling for the dismissal of the school’s headteacher because he stood by and allowed the violence to occur.

I just read about the racial attack that happened with the school girl in Ashford, Surrey. I'm beyond heart broken💔 I pray for the healing and wellness of that young girl, so sorry 😞. To all black women and girls I wish you nothing but peace, good health and safety. Love u 💓

— Ziah Maxime-weir (@ZiahMW) February 9, 2023

Members of the public were tweeting about how “ horrified they are about the attack on the young Black girl”. One individual expressed that “ the failure of staff to intervene should also be regarded as a form of violence”.

Another said that for the “ black girl to be under violent attack and for the head of school to stand causally watching is exactly the sort of institutional failure that can’t be fixed by mollycoddling white authority figures with unconscious bias training”.

Black girl under violent attack & head of school casually watching it is exactly the sort of institutional failure that can’t be fixed by mollycoddling white authority figures w/ unconscious bias training. Hope the girl receives the care she deserves. Black lives are precious.

— Sandeep Bakshi (@sandeepbak) February 8, 2023

People were advocating for “ the headteacher of the school to be sacked with immediate effect as he failed to take any action but just stood there and witnessed the girl be violently attacked”.

The headteacher of this school @ThomasKnyvett needs to be sacked with immediate effect.

You really stood by and watched an adult with a gang of girls and execute a racist attack on a Black girl.

Want your job and legal action to follow.

— Kelechi (@kelechnekoff) February 8, 2023

It was also highlighted that this incident exemplifies “ how black people are alone in the UK. As when the racial attack on this young black girl took place, there was no support from other communities, other adults were driving past watching it happen and taking no action.”

When it’s a young black girl being a victim of a racist attack outside her school, notice how there is NO support or outrage from other communities. Just how that black girl was alone and adults were driving past, watching it happen, that’s how black people are alone in this UK

— SS (@ssozinha_) February 9, 2023

Reporter Ria Chatterjee shared footage of protestors outside the school who were chanting for “ the school to be closed” following the racial assault on the young girl”.

Protestors chanted ‘close the school’ in Ashford today following an attack which police are treating as a ‘serious racially aggravated assault’

We spoke to the protest organiser who’s been in touch with the young black girl. He says she’s being supported by a few organisations. pic.twitter.com/ZrWhijpYsR

— Ria Chatterjee (@RiaChatter) February 8, 2023

Furious protestors were also chanting “ All for one and one for all , we will pull up outside your door”.

'All for one and one for all, we'll pull up outside your door': Furious protesters stage rally near to homes of group behind 'racist attack' on black girl, 15, outside school – as rapper …
via https://t.co/V9SdlWiC6H https://t.co/wQMyCojLB0

— Elaine Mahon (@ElaineMahon13) February 9, 2023

Politicians such as members of Parliament are also aware of the incident, and one is calling for : the professional conduct of teachers at the school to be investigated after girls are arrested for racially motivated violence with other adults encouraging them further”.

Incredible that an MP is calling for the professional conduct of *teachers* to be investigated after girls are arrested for racially motivated violence and other adults for encouraging them, pretty far from their school.https://t.co/48BaGVk0lQ

— Karl Eastham (@karleastham) February 9, 2023

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