Axios reports:
An investigation commissioned by the Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School found no evidence of “racist or offensive statements” by Covington Catholic students during their encounter with Native American activists at the Lincoln Memorial in January.
Investigators were not able to interview either Native American elder Nathan Phillips or Nicholas Sandmann, the student at the center of the incident, in person. The investigation relied on Sandmann’s written account, third-party witness interviews, and statements from other students and chaperones.
The investigation was performed by Greater Cincinnati Investigation Inc, a private detective agency which appears to investigate mostly workplace insurance and is located in Taylor Mills, KY
7 miles from the High School.
GCI report that they found no evidence that the students responded in an offensive manner to the black Hebrew Israelites or that they chanted “build the wall.” After asking chaperones, they performed a school cheer, according to the report, to drown out the black Hebrew Israelites.
They also reported that most boys bought the red hats bearing President Trump’s MAGA slogan in Washington on the day of the March for Life, an annual antiabortion rally that they attended. In previous years, some students bought “Hope” hats in support of President Obama, the report says.
The report does not provide any recommendations for future changes, such as banning political attire or changes to chaperone protocol. Many people were critical that the adults in charge of the students did not intervene more forcefully to avoid or end the interactions.
The report also does not address underlying issues of diversity at the school that were raised by local NAACP leader Jerome Bowles and others.
Perhaps The National Congress of American Indians should open an investigation.
