AN “abhorrent” tweet posted from a Scottish school’s account deriding calls for people to honour George Floyd is being investigated by the local authority.
The comment, shared by Lenzie Academy’s physics department, sneered at the anti-racism campaign Take the Knee. The initiative pays tribute to Floyd, who was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis last week, and demands tougher action on discrimination.
The tweet, which has now been deleted along with the account, read: “#TakeTheKnee? Aye you can f*** right off.”
East Dunbartonshire Council confirmed it is probing the incident and has reported it to Police Scotland.
Depute chief executive Ann Davie, said: “The nature of this post is absolutely abhorrent and a full investigation is under way.”
READ MORE: George Floyd killing: Mourners pay respects at memorial
The post has prompted outrage among locals. One school student told the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald: “Many pupils have expressed their disgust at the matter.”
Local MP Amy Callaghan has called for answers, adding that she’s heard “concerning student testimonies” about experiencing racism.
I have written to @EDCouncil regarding this and also the headteacher of @lenzieacad to highlight these concerns.
— Amy Callaghan MP (@AmyCallaghanSNP) June 4, 2020
I will closely monitor the situation and respond directly to constituents who have emailed.
The @LenziePhysics account stated in its bio: “Lenzie Academy Physics Department, teaching you Physics whether you like it or not.”
Posts from the account had regularly featured on the secondary school’s main Twitter feed over the past few years.
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