Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives are investigating an assault on a 12-year-old middle school boy who may have been targeted after a Facebook group urged students to beat up redheads, a sheriff's official said Saturday.
The boy was kicked and hit in two separate incidents on the campus of A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas by as many as 14 of his classmates, Lt. Richard Erickson said. The students who participated in the attack may have been motivated by a Facebook message telling them that Nov. 20 was "Kick a Ginger Day," Erickson said, but had few other details about the message.
A "ginger" is a label given to people with red hair, freckles and fair skin. Erickson said the victim has red hair. He said the Facebook message stems from an episode of the animated TV show South Park. A show in 2005 focused on prejudice against "gingers."
The incident occurred about 8:30 a.m. Friday. The boy sought help from the school nurse, who contacted the principal. Sheriff's officials arrived on campus shortly afterward.
poor kid. I have red hair and am pretty dang proud of it, can't imagine being beat up for it! I was complimented for it as a kid. Kids
are so mean these days
them
@ Kick a Ginger Day...
