State Commission to Probe Attacks at Southern High

Pa. Human Relations Commission also investigated the Valley Swim Club case

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) will launch an investigation into complaints of racial attacks at South Philadelphia High School.

More than 30 Asian-American students were involved in a Dec. 3 attack in the halls of the high school at Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.

A group of the students later boycotted classes for more than a week after they felt school officials failed to address their safety concerns.

Chairman Stephen Glassman said Tuesday that the students' pleas for help convinced the commission to act.

School officials suspended a dozen students for the fight after launching an investigation.

That investigation also found that the Dec. 3 attack was committed in retaliation to an earlier altercation where Asian students beat a disabled African-American student.

The Philadelphia School District added four security officers, is adding 60 surveillance cameras and hired an independent investigator after the melee.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act gives the commission authority to "investigate any problem of racial discrimination with the intent of avoiding and preventing the development of racial tension."

You may remember the PHRC from an investigation they launched into the highly publicized racial controversy that unfolded at the Valley Swim Club in July.

In that case, the PHRC found that race may have been a factor in the banning of 56 minority, inner-city students from the suburban club.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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