Boys in Trump hats mock Native American man; school condemns students

KENTUCKY - A Catholic school in Kentucky condemned a group of its students, many of whom wore "Make America Great Again" hats, after they were recorded harassing a Native American Vietnam veteran in a video that went viral on Saturday (Jan 19).

The students from the private, all-male Covington Catholic High School in northern Kentucky were in Washington for an anti-abortion rally last Friday when they were filmed surrounding Mr Nathan Phillips and mocking the Native American's singing and drumming.

One teen, in particular, is seen standing in front of Mr Phillips, staring into his face with a smile. Fellow students, many in clothing bearing President Donald Trump's "MAGA" slogan, cheered him on and chanted, "build that wall, build that wall", Mr Phillips said.

The footage was shared online by organisers of an indigenous peoples' march that also took place last Friday.

In a joint statement, the high school and Diocese of Covington condemned the actions of the students "towards Nathan Phillips specifically, and Native Americans in general".

"The matter is being investigated and we will take appropriate action, up to and including expulsion," the statement said.

In a separate video uploaded to social media, the 64-year-old Phillips, an elder of Nebraska's Omaha tribe, wiped away tears as he described the incident.

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"I heard them saying 'build that wall, build that wall'. These are indigenous lands, we're not supposed to have walls," he said. "I wish I could see that energy of that young mass of young men, put that energy into making this country, really, really great, helping those that are hungry."

Mr Phillips holds an annual ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to honour Native American veterans, according to media reports.

Democratic US Congresswoman Deb Haaland, a member of New Mexico's Laguna Pueblo tribe, said on Twitter that Mr Phillips had risked his life for his country, and that the students showed "blatant hate, disrespect, and intolerance".

Covington Mayor Joe Meyer, a Democrat, said the "appalling" footage had rightly inspired "a tidal wave of condemnation" and that his town was now being linked with "intolerance and ethnic intimidation" because of the boys' actions.

"The videos being shared across the nation do NOT represent the core beliefs and values of this city," he said in a statement.

Ms Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Democratic secretary of state for Kentucky, said the children were not solely to blame.

"I turn to the adults and administration that are charged with teaching them, and to others who are silently letting others promote this behaviour," she said on Facebook.