News

Actions

Watch: Viral video shows Catholic students in MAGA hats taunting elder at Indigenous People's March

Posted at 4:33 PM, Jan 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-19 17:33:06-05

A series of videos have surfaced online reportedly showing students from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky, confronting members of the Indigenous People's March in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

The videos show members of the Indigenous People's March, one playing a hand drum, surrounded by others wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and clothing. The slogan is popular with those who are fervent supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"We are just now learning about this incident and regret it took place," Laura Keener, the communications director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington, said. "We are looking into it."

The website for Covington Catholic shows on their calendar they are in Washington, D.C., for the March for Life. WCPO has reached out to Covington Catholic for comment and have not heard back yet.

The videos have garnered national attention, and many people, including Rep. Debra Haaland from New Mexico, have condemned the actions of the people involved.

The veteran Haaland mentions is the man playing the hand drum. His name is Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder who, according to Indian Country Today , is a Vietnam veteran and former director of the Native Youth Alliance.

Since these videos have gone online, the social media pages for Covington Catholic, and some Covington Catholic faculty members have been set to private.

WCPO will update this story as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.