Rally commemorates S. Philly High School violence

About 100 students, teachers and staff of all races gathered at the front gates of South Philadelphia High School Friday to commemorate the anti-Asian attacks of Dec. 3, 2009.

On that day, 30 Asian students were attacked by groups of mostly African American youths. Asian students said afterward that they were afraid and that their fears weren't taken seriously by school officials.

Those gathered at the "Youth Power Rally" Friday wore sky-blue wristbands that said, "The Power To Make Change."

Wei Chen, who led a student boycott after last year's attacks, led the crowd in a cheer.

"We are youth," they chanted. "We are leaders, we are organizers, we have the power to make change."

South Philadelphia High senior Norman Scott, 17, said that things are different at the school - somewhat.

"People are divided into their little groups, but it's OK, no tension," said Scott, who is African American. "After last year, we're coming together."

One of the students who was attacked last year said things have improved.

"The school pays more attention to the challenges students face . . . since that day, many students have organized to make positive change in our school," said Chao Fei Zheng.

New South Philadelphia principal Otis Hackney said he was "humbled and honored" to take part in the rally and was proud and inspired by the students' call for change at South Philadelphia High and at other schools around the city.

In a statement, a school district official called the events of last December "a travesty."

"On this day of reflection, we hope that the entire community will take a moment to consider the lessons learned and the tremendous steps that the students, teachers, principal and staff of the South Philadelphia High School community have taken to improve the overall climate in their building," spokeswoman Shana Kemp said in the statement. "We hope that the travesty that occurred on December 3, 2009 will serve as a reminder of just how vitally important it is that everyone be treated with dignity and respect."

Last year's attacks led to hearings by the city Commission on Human Relations and investigations by the state Human Relations Commission and U.S. Department of Justice.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department judged that the Asian students' complaint had merit. Federal authorities have advised the district to take steps to settle the matter.