UPLAND, Calif. (KNX) — An Upland Unified School District staff member has been placed on leave after sending an electronic message to students and parents that blamed China for the COVID-19 pandemic and disparaged the celebration of Chinese New Year. The message was sent on Jan. 31.
“The school wants everyone to wear red tomorrow (Feb. 1) but I disagree and do not support the CCP,” the staffer wrote, according to screenshots of the message obtained by The San Bernardino Sun. “CCP” refers to the Chinese Communist Party, the ruling party in the People’s Republic of China.
“I am sorry and disagree. China gave us this [COVID] and [I] will not wear red,” the staffer continued. “Parents you need to wake up!”
School district officials announced Tuesday that the unidentified employee had been removed from the classroom.
Superintendent Lynn J. Carmen Day posted on the district’s website and social media accounts that the staff member “shared hurtful and offensive messages about China and COVID-19” in a school messaging app.
“Any disparaging statements about race, nationality, ethnicity, or any dimension of diversity will not be tolerated,” Carmen Day said in a statement.
The district was still conducting an investigation into the incident as of Wednesday. It would not elaborate further on what consequences the staff member may face, nor name the school where he or she was employed, or in what capacity.
Related
