Supervisors Issue Statement Regarding Rufus King High School Track Team Incident at Waterford High School

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Board Second Vice Chairwoman and 13th District Supervisor Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, along with Supervisors Shawn Rolland, Justin Bielinski, Felesia A. Martin, Caroline Gómez-Tom, Kathleen Vincent, Jack Eckblad, and Juan Miguel Martinez issued the following statement regarding the May 7 track meet at Waterford High School, during which Rufus King athletes and families were subjected to sustained racist taunts, forcing the team to withdraw early for their own safety:

“We urge the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association to declare the Waterford Invite an official rain-out, just as we would when weather threatens our athletes, because on May 7, Rufus King students were ‘showered’ not with rain but with sustained racist taunts, and Waterford Union High School failed to ensure their safety.

“We stand with parents and coaches who witnessed attendees hurling demeaning slurs—invoking ‘chicken and watermelon’ and comparing athletes and their parents to ‘monkeys’—even as Rufus King staff worked to de-escalate the crowd. When that abuse persisted and the well-being of our student-athletes was at risk, our coaches rightly withdrew the team for their protection.

“We commend these young men and women for their unwavering commitment to non-violence and for demonstrating true sportsmanship under duress. We also applaud the coaches and Athletic Director at Rufus King for standing resolutely with their athletes and for prioritizing their dignity and welfare.

“There’s a lot going on in the world right now, but one place that should always be exempt from that chaos is wherever our children are.

“Waterford had the opportunity to protect our kids—and they failed.

“We don’t care what’s happening in the world outside; we cannot allow racism and hate to become the new normal. Not in our schools, not at our sporting events, and not anywhere our children are supposed to feel safe.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.