Monarch Montessori of Denver Charter

From Westword:

Two young Black girls went before Denver City Council to ask for help for their school. Instead, they became the victims of a racist tirade.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from Monarch Montessori spoke during the council's weekly public comment session on Monday, May 13, requesting assistance in getting a yurt for their school. But less than a minute into their testimony, a voice from the online Zoom shouted at the girls to "go back to fucking Africa," followed by a series of insults and racial slurs.

Council staff unsuccessfully tried to mute the anonymous speaker, but the racist rant continued for around thirty seconds, with the female-sounding voice repeatedly calling the children the N-word before the Zoom was eventually disconnected.

The fifth-grader was left in tears and unable to continue her speech after the racist diatribe. The fourth-grader started her testimony over, repeating her plea for a yurt, which the school would use as additional classroom space. She told councilmembers that her school has struggled to obtain the necessary building permits for the yurt.

I'm so proud of these young ladies for engaging in the civic process, but my heart breaks over what they experienced. Let's support Monarch Montessori in their effort to get their yurt for music lessons!