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Students defend California wrestling coach who tackled teenager Students defend California wrestling coach who tackled teenager
(5 months later)
When the video first went viral, the villain seemed to be Mark Black, a burly wrestling coach at Santa Monica high school who grappled with a teenage student and crashed through desks, eventually pinning him to the floor.When the video first went viral, the villain seemed to be Mark Black, a burly wrestling coach at Santa Monica high school who grappled with a teenage student and crashed through desks, eventually pinning him to the floor.
Sandra Lyon, the district superintendent, called the science teacher's actions last week “unacceptable”, placed him on paid administrative leave and offered support to the student's family.Sandra Lyon, the district superintendent, called the science teacher's actions last week “unacceptable”, placed him on paid administrative leave and offered support to the student's family.
On Tuesday, less than a week after the April 4 scuffle, which was recorded on a cellphone, a police investigation and social media campaign appeared to have largely vindicated Black, 60, and turned him into something of a hero.On Tuesday, less than a week after the April 4 scuffle, which was recorded on a cellphone, a police investigation and social media campaign appeared to have largely vindicated Black, 60, and turned him into something of a hero.
Parents and colleagues hailed him a brave and decent man, a sort of Californian cross between Mr Chips and Charles Bronson, who intervened to defend himself and others in a volatile drug dispute between pupils.Parents and colleagues hailed him a brave and decent man, a sort of Californian cross between Mr Chips and Charles Bronson, who intervened to defend himself and others in a volatile drug dispute between pupils.
“Anyone who knows coach Black knows he is an honorable man, and dedicated to his students,” said a Facebook page set up in his defence, which drew dozens of supportive comments and more than 17,000 likes.“Anyone who knows coach Black knows he is an honorable man, and dedicated to his students,” said a Facebook page set up in his defence, which drew dozens of supportive comments and more than 17,000 likes.
An 18-year-old student, Blair Moore, was due in court to be charged with battery, threatening a school official and possession of cannabis and a weapon – a box cutter – on school grounds. A second student, aged 16, also faced charges related to the affray.An 18-year-old student, Blair Moore, was due in court to be charged with battery, threatening a school official and possession of cannabis and a weapon – a box cutter – on school grounds. A second student, aged 16, also faced charges related to the affray.
A burgeoning online campaign – in addition to the Facebook page several change.org petitions drew several thousand people – demanded Black's reinstatement and castigated Lyon, the superintendent. A burgeoning online campaign – in addition to the Facebook page several change.org petitions drew several thousand people – demanded Black's reinstatement and castigated Lyon, the superintendent.
In fact she already began to row back over the weekend, issuing a statement apologising and saying her comments about Black had “caused great anger”.In fact she already began to row back over the weekend, issuing a statement apologising and saying her comments about Black had “caused great anger”.
The tide in favour of the coach continued to rise. “In matters of self-defence I think it's reasonable for teachers to use physical force to restrain students,” Oscar de la Torre, a school board member, told KTLA. “If he wanted to he could have hurt that student. I call it really restrained intervention on his part.”The tide in favour of the coach continued to rise. “In matters of self-defence I think it's reasonable for teachers to use physical force to restrain students,” Oscar de la Torre, a school board member, told KTLA. “If he wanted to he could have hurt that student. I call it really restrained intervention on his part.”
“It’s just really sad that [the district] quickly condemned Mr Black without even finding out what was going on from the beginning,” a parent, Gabrielle Kinslow-Bourget, told the LA Times. “He was just trying to protect the school. More teachers and administrators have to step up.” “It’s just really sad that [the district] quickly condemned Mr Black without even finding out what was going on from the beginning,” a parent, Gabrielle Kinslow-Bourget, told the LA Times. “He was just trying to protect the school. More teachers and administrators have to step up.”
Black has yet to comment publicly.Black has yet to comment publicly.