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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. | |
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.” | |
Black has yet to comment publicly. | Black has yet to comment publicly. |
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