Paloma officials respond to 'Black Lives Matter' posting

Administrators of Paloma Valley High School have issued an online statement urging peaceful interaction in response to a social media post asking students to wear all black to school on Thursday.

A flier labeled "Black Lives Matter at Paloma" is circulating on social media, urging students to wear black to the school "to show our support and solidarity" in light of the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Parents have contacted the school district and Menifee 24/7 expressing concern about the planned event. Paloma Valley officials worked with district administrators Wednesday afternoon in posting the following on the Paloma Valley High School Facebook page:

"In light of the recent protests in Charlottesville, some students have chosen to express their unity and solidarity by wearing black this Thursday. As a school, we recognize students’ right to self-expression and social commentary in our democratic society. Please know, that while we do not anticipate any violence and have not received any threats of violence, we are taking every precaution to ensure your students’ safety tomorrow and every day.

"Paloma Valley holds the safety of your students as our top priority. Administration regularly works with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and our on-site School Resource Officer as well as campus supervisors and staff regarding campus safety.

"There will be no tolerance for students involved in threats of violence of any kind or students engaging in hate speech. Should this occur, it will be dealt with according to California Educational Code or Penal Code as appropriate. Thank you and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our front office."

Menifee Police Chief Brandon Ford, captain in the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, told Menifee 24/7 his department has been alerted to the situation by school district officials. He said there has been no evidence of threats or violence related to this campaign, but the department stands ready to respond, as always, to any signs of violence.

"We are aware of students who are wishing to express themselves through the wearing of black T-shirts to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement," Ford said. "We have no information that this particular expression indicates there will be any violence or concern for parents or students.

"It's kids wanting to express the way they feel. It's actually not an unreasonable thing to express the way you feel by the wearing of a shirt. We don't have any reason to believe ... it's not like we have a gang forming or anything. This is kids wanting to participate in a social conversation that is relevant across the country. It's not a call to alarm, but it is a call to parents to have a conversation with their kids about what they believe in and what their priorities are, what there values are, and how to go about affecting social change and addressing social concerns."

"We will be listening for and sensitive to evidence of division and we're working with the school to make sure we're supporting them. If it becomes a police matter, we'll be on top of it."