The concerned mom of a 17-year-old special needs student in Houston, Texas is speaking out about the alleged abuse her son faced at school. In addition to demanding that the district take action, she is also asking the FBI and Texas Rangers to investigate what she is calling a hate crime. Hattie Williams told KTRK reporters that problems with her son began in early February when white students started to harass him with threatening messages on social media. From there the exchanges led to an altercation where William’s son, who is Black, was lured off campus and jumped by five white teens who he attended school with.William says her son sustained a concussion during the fight and was placed in in-school suspension for his part in the quarrel. According to Williams and local activist Quannell X, three of her son’s alleged attackers were allowed to stay in school while two others were allowed to transfer. “They have separated her son, put him in ISS (in-school suspension) for the fight, Quannell X told reporters during a press conference this week. “The only black kid that was jumped by five white kids, he’s in ISS. None of them are in ISS, not one.”In a statement to KTRK, Spring Branch Independent School District said: “On Feb. 8, Memorial High School experienced a substantial disruption of the school environment due to social media posts which frightened many students and parents. The campus has and will continue to respond to the situation according to the requirements of state and federal law and the SBISD student code of conduct. The District reported the information received to the FBI and is collaborating with the FBI on this matter. The District must protect the confidentiality of all students and this situation is no different, so the District is not able to respond with facts to set the record straight about all the circumstances.”
