The ACLU of Wisconsin says it is conducting an investigation into the suspension of two Sheboygan Falls High School basketball players. Barring a last-minute reversal by the district, brothers Jordon and Jauwan Jackson will not play Friday against Plymouth. The pair was suspended after a photo showing them flashing hand gestures that were alleged to be gang symbols was published earlier this month by the Sheboygan Falls News.
“I thought it kind of worked with the story, which was a positive story,” Jeff Pederson, the editor of the weekly paper, told the Sheboygan Press. School district officials did not agree and issued the suspension, although the district administrator said the suspensions could be appealed. Parents allegedly complained about the photo to school officials, who then contacted the Sheboygan Falls Police Department.
ACLU Wisconsin Executive Director Chris Ahmuty said district officials have overreacted, and on Friday he sent a letter to Sheboygan Falls High School, seeking information about several of the school’s polices and asking for the reinstatement of both players.
“We believe you may have engaged in the kind of biased discipline recently condemned by Attorney General Eric Holder,” Ahumuty said in the records request.
