Sand Creek High School students allege racism from Lutheran High School students

Viewer discretion is advised. This story discusses topics of alleged racism and harassment.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect a change to the witness's account of the events.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Members of the Sand Creek High School community are calling for accountability following allegations of racist slurs and harassment directed at student staff, players and cheerleaders.

The alleged incident occurred during a high school football game hosted at Lutheran High School in Parker on September 24. Sand Creek students reported feeling concerned for their personal safety after experiencing what they say was racial harassment throughout the event.

Taura Williams, a parent of a Sand Creek student, says that she reported the behavior to a Lutheran High School representative while the game was in progress, but no official action has been taken.

Laila Bryant, a cheerleader at Sand Creek High School and the daughter of Williams, says she felt unsafe due to the size of the Lutheran student section.

“We're outnumbered. This student section was huge, especially because of the way they have they set up. We have to go past these people again. It's terrifying,” Bryant said. “Even with our biggest rival schools, we have never seen this disrespect.”

Williams detailed direct verbal insults she says were directed at cheerleaders shortly after the contest began, including alleged racial harassment from spectators and targeted segregation comments in public restrooms.

“Your students took off their belts and were whipping the grounds and get back to where you belong,” Williams said.

Williams added that cheerleaders reported being targeted near facilities, recalling remarks such as, “'Oh, don't use that toilet. There, use that one. Don't touch that sink. They touched that one.'”

She recalled a comment one of the students in the Lutheran stands allegedly made towards a Sand Creek student.

“'One of those boys in the stands just called me Harriet Tubman,” Williams recounts a student telling her.

The alleged harassment also occurred on the playing field during the game, according to Williams. Sand Creek players reported that opposing athletes made hostile verbal threats during physically aggressive plays.

“The football players, when they were getting face masks and stood over and being told to stay down (racial slur). Stay down (racial slur)! I'ma send you back home where you belong,” Williams recalled being told.

Bryant expressed shock regarding the alleged behavior of the host crowd and stated that event organizers failed to provide a secure environment.

“I have never heard anybody use some of the slurs or do some of the things, or even discuss some of the things that they were saying,” Bryant said. “When you go to a game or you go to a competition, you want to do your job. You want to compete, you want to do what you love. But when you come to a place and you can't feel safe, you're getting attacked. You're getting harassed. They've failed.”

Dan Gehrke, the executive director of Lutheran High School released the following statement in response to the report:

"Lutheran High School upholds values of respect, integrity and love for others. Any form of racist language or behavior is a direct violation of those values and will not be tolerated. We are aware of allegations concerning the conduct of our students that took place during the Sept. 24 football game. We are taking these allegations seriously and are actively investigating the incident, which includes speaking with students, staff and witnesses from both schools. We will take any disciplinary action warranted by the findings in accordance with our school policies."

District 49, the district in which Sand Creek High School resides, tells KRDO13 it is aware that there have been reports of some concerning behavior at the football game.

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