[E]SSEX JUNCTION — Essex has become the latest Vermont high school to raise a Black Lives Matter flag, joining Burlington, Brattleboro and Montpelier — the first in the nation to take such an action.
U-32 Middle and High School students plan to follow suit Monday.
The Black Lives Matter flag — a symbol for racial equality and the fight against racial bias and abuse — was hoisted at the Essex High School Thursday and is now flying below the American flag.
Representatives from the Essex Westford School Board and the district superintendent attended the 15-minute ceremony on the school’s front lawn, where students and staff had gathered.
“This is a student-led initiative,” said Diversity Club adviser Andrew Roy. “Students came to the Diversity Club and they brought the idea and the support grew from there.”
A petition in support of the flag-raising that was circulated in the school garnered more than 400 student signatures.
The school board voted unanimously earlier this month to allow the flag to go up at the high school as well as at the Westford School, where middle school students raised the flag in early May.
“I’m thrilled about this,” said board member Liz Subin. “I applaud the process that got us to this point.”
The request was heard by the board three times this spring before it was approved. Requests to raise a flag must meet requirements including that the effort be student-driven, that it outline a specific time for the flag to fly and include a petition measuring student support.
During Thursday’s ceremony, Superintendent Beth Cobb stood on the lawn with the students and praised the work of students and board members to raise the flag.
“I think the process was good for the board to go through. I’m proud of the student voices,” Cobb said.
Essex High School senior and Diversity Club member Dominique Sweat supported the request to raise the flag and said she hopes it will continue a conversation on race relations. “It was awesome to have the School Board’s support and to have the community’s support, too,” she said.
About 4 percent of Essex High School students are people of color.
Black Lives Matter of Greater Burlington released a letter praising the students’ work. The group encouraged them to continue to raise their voices for equality.
“Please know that we have your backs,” the letter said. “As you stand to raise this flag. As you celebrate and spread the story of your work across the state to inspire others.”
