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Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox posted the follow message on his Facebook page concerning the half-time show performed by Forest Hill High School Band Friday night, October 5, 2018.
The halftime performance conducted by the Forest Hill Band at our Brookhaven High School home football game last night was inappropriate, irresponsible, and insensitive to say the least. It was a horrific display of disrespect demonstrated toward our local law enforcement, our students and families in attendance of the game, and all citizens of Brookhaven. It is disturbing that the Forest Hill routine has been performed previously with no repercussions to faculty members or administrators, especially given the fact weapons were involved. Even though the weapons were obviously toy guns, it is still a serious violation of school policy. This type of performance is inexcusable under any and all circumstances, especially within the school system, but also in light of our fallen heroes on September 29th who served the Brookhaven Police Department with great honor, Officer Zach Moak and Officer James White.
The fact that the Forest Hill High School Band had been practicing this routine for several weeks is of no consequence. Once again, let me be clear, the performance was inexcusable. It in no way sent the message of “put down the guns and pray” as many outside our community have attempted to depict through their individual loose interpretation of the “John Q” movie in order to justify the band’s routine.
There is never a time or place to promote such violence toward members of law enforcement. The performance promoted a total lack of respect for local, state, and federal men and women who lay their lives on the line every day to serve and protect our citizens. It also perpetuated the desensitization of disrespect and violence toward authoritative figures and leaders in all areas—our classrooms, government, law enforcement, and all in between.
Jackson Mayor Lumumba stated the Forest Hill band director had been placed on administrative leave, and duly so. Though I appreciate the phone call from Mayor Lumumba, as well as public statements of apologies released by Mayor Lumumba and Jackson Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Errick Greene, that alone does not suffice.
I have been and will continue making various contacts, a few of which include Governor Phil Bryant, our local state legislators, Brookhaven School District, Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi High School Activities Association, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Jackson Public School District and Forest Hill High School, to ensure the matter is sufficiently addressed and fully investigated not only internally, but by a state level Select Committee or the appropriate state agencies. This is no longer simply a Jackson Public School District matter. There must be accountability and serious consequences for this demonstrated act of violence and blatant disregard for school policy. In addition, I am asking that all Forest Hill High School and Jackson Public School System staff, faculty, and administrators with prior knowledge and approval of this halftime routine be held accountable and terminated from employment, this routine be removed from the Forest Hill Band program, and that future Forest Hill Band routines be monitored and approved at the state level prior to each performance.
As a community and as parents, allow this to be a call to become more involved in purposefully instilling respect for one another, our governing laws, authoritative figures and all law enforcement in our own Brookhaven children. This begins by setting the right example as adults and parents through our words and actions, both at home and in public.
May God continue to bless Brookhaven, all members of law enforcement, and first responders.
We are Ole Brook.
(click on Mayor Joe Cox to see his Facebook page)
