Support growing for Somerville 5

Demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Somerville 5 into Somerville High School, supporters picketed outside the offices of School Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi on Aug. 5. Chanting, "Youth need schools, not racist police!" and, "Say no to racism in our schools," picketers received lots of support from passing motorists.

A delegation met with Pierantozzi on Aug. 12 to press for reinstatement of the Somerville 5. The delegation included African American leader and Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, the Rev. William Dickerson from Greater Love Tabernacle Church of Dorchester, parents of the Somerville 5 and representatives from the Committee to Defend the Somerville 5.

Supporters and families of the Somerville 5 are angry that the five Black youths--Calvin Belfon, Cassius Belfon, Earl Guerra, Isiah Anderson and Marquis Anderson--have been barred from attending school since April 20. That night they were victims of racial profiling and police brutality at the hands of white cops in Medford, Mass. They were punched, clubbed, maced, called racist names and arrested.

Medford police claim that the youths were harassing customers in a Store 24. But the clerk on duty that night has said that there was no disturbance in the store. Other witnesses say the same.

Yet the school superintendent, with the principal's backing, suspended the five indefinitely.

None of the five has ever had any problem in school. They have good academic records and are outstanding athletes. None has any prior criminal record.

The Committee to Defend the Somerville 5 has stated that this is an extension of racial profiling into the school system.  The students have been found "guilty until proven innocent."

Coaches and teachers have sent letters of support on behalf of the five youths. Three hundred students signed a petition for their reinstatement. More than 200 people in the space of one week contacted the past superintendent's office to demand the same.

Other groups that are behind them are the Nation of Islam, NAACP, Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers, the Women's Fightback Network and the International Action Center.

"These youth are not a threat. The real threat is racist police," Robert Traynham of the Committee to Defend the Somerville 5 explains. "We demand that school officials stand behind our youth of color by acknowledging that racial profiling and police brutality exist and that our youth are victims of it.

"We demand that they allow these youth to continue their education. Racist policies like these force our children out into the streets, unemployable, and ripe for the military recruiters or ending up in prison."