On Monday, Dec. 8th, a group of Edina High School staff members lead by the EHS Equity Team, showed support in the cafeteria for African-American students in the aftermath of recent police brutality.

As an email sent by office staff member Arlou McPherson said, “The presence will consist of staff standing as a group with a sign saying ‘Black Lives Matter.’ The purpose of this is to recognize the myriad emotions our students are feeling.”

Despite the politically controversial nature of the police brutality, EHS Principal Dr. Bruce Locklear claimed, “This is not a political statement.”

Student Academic Coordinator Heidi Howard expressed similar feelings, saying that it was more about supporting students than taking a political stand.

But is it really necessary to take action in Edina when the police violence happened across the country? “I think it [also] happened in our own backyard,” said Dr. Locklear, referring to the diverse student body at EHS with links all over the country.

“I feel like [with] Mike Brown and Eric Garner… I was troubled by the community response, not the fact that they were protesting… [but] what troubles me about it is the pain and suffering, and that’s why I feel we need to do something,” said Youth Serving Youth advisor Rachel Grenier.

The student reaction to the staff presence was mixed. Dr. Locklear mentioned having meaningful conversations with students because of the Equity Team’s presence. Junior Laura Lehman, on the other hand, said, “I feel like they should have more than just stood there.”

Grenier responded to comments like those posed by Lehman by saying, “Was yesterday’s action enough? No, but I feel it was appropriate.”