Racist Video Sparks Student Walkouts For 2nd Time This Week

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- For the second time this week, students at a Howard County high school walk out of class, outraged over a classmate's racist video that has gone viral.

Gigi Barnett has more on the protests and what the students are calling for.

In the middle of the school day, Hammond High School's 30-minute lunch break turned into a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

Students are outraged by a viral video posted online by a student from another Howard County school--Mount Hebron High.

In the 30-second rant, he calls blacks inferiors and bashes Abraham Lincoln. That sparked a walkout at the Ellicott City school earlier this week.

"It wasn't something I was surprised by. I was surprised it was actually recorded and we actually have proof of it now," said Milan Black, student.

"It happens every day, but that was the one time someone got caught saying something," said Khaliq Canada, student.

Now, a demonstration at Hammond High.

"It is 2016, people, why are we still dealing with issues of racism?" one student protester said.

Parents and community groups weren't left out.

"We hope this will shed some light," said Carmen Moultrie, parent.

School leaders knew about the rally, even setting up a place where students can speak out.

"It's nice to see our community coming together," said Black.

While school leaders supported the rally, they're turning it into a civic lesson. The conversation continues.

"Our goal is to not make this a one-time event. We're going to be working with the student organizers to create small group conversations at lunch later this month," said Principal Marcy Leonard, Hammond High School.

Howard County school leaders are investigating the racist video and have identified four students involved in the making of it.