Free State, Lawrence High students wear purple in protest against racial epithet, vandalism

Lawrence High School and Free State High School students wore purple and displayed signs of unity Friday night at the City Showdown football game at Lawrence High School's stadium. A day earlier, vandals left a racial epithet in shaving cream on the field.

Sprinkled throughout a sea of green and red, the color purple could be seen around the Lawrence High School football stadium during the rivalry City Showdown game between the Lions and the Free State Firebirds on Friday night.

The stadium had been vandalized just a day before with a racial epithet and a phallic symbol outlined in shaving cream on the field. The vandals also reportedly egged a section of bleachers and moved athletic equipment.

Lawrence Public Schools officials announced Friday that five senior, male Free State High School students have been identified as the perpetrators of the vandalism.

In protest of the actions, many students, parents and faculty from both schools donned purple — neither team’s school color — in solidarity against racial intolerance. Additionally, purple balloons, streamers and a sign reading “equality” decorated the stands.

Brogan Ryan, a Free State senior who wore a purple jersey to the game, said he was disgusted with the acts of his peers and that they should not represent the entire school.

“Obviously, coming from Free State, we dressed in purple,” Ryan said. “We wanted to show support that it’s not the entire student body who feel that way.”

Free State High School has notified the students’ parents and “initiated disciplinary action in accordance with Board Policy,” Lawrence Public Schools spokeswoman Julie Boyle said.

The school will also give the students community service and involve them in a diversity education program, Boyle said.

Even though there did not appear to be permanent damage to the facility, Lawrence Police Department spokesman Sgt. Trent McKinley said Thursday that those responsible for the vandalism could face criminal charges in addition to the school’s disciplinary action.

On Friday, McKinley said the LPD would be sending the investigation’s findings to Douglas County District Attorney Office, which will decide whether charges should be filed against the students, McKinley said.

The Lawrence Police Department and school resource officers at both Lawrence public high schools helped identify the students, Boyle said.

Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Rick Doll addressed the joint crowd before the game began, stating that the incident was a “big deal.”

“I know some people in the crowd think this is no big deal,” Doll said. “This was not OK. This was not just something between two high schools.”

Doll said the vandalism should be used as a learning experience about equality for students and the community.

“I see this as an opportunity to teach our students about this very sensitive topic,” Doll said. “Some teachers are brave enough to lead these conversations, and we will train more teachers to talk about these difficult issues.”