Nevada high school students win settlement after suing over racist bullying

Sisters Jayla Tolliver and Taylissa Marriott took matters into their own hands to hold their high school accountable after they became the subject of relentless bullying by racist students.

So, the girls sued Yerington High School in Yerington, Nevada and won after the school ignored their claims of suffering intense racist harassment on social media and at the school, reports Blavity.

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Marriott and Tolliver, both 15, sued the city of Yerington and the Lyon County School District and were awarded a lump sum payment after U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks ruled in their favor. He agreed that the school fell short in aiding the sisters. The amount and terms of the settlement are sealed. What is known is that in addition to the settlement, the district and city were ordered to also cover the students’ $160,000 attorney fees. Counseling for the girls will also be paid for by the school district.

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The Harassment 

In 2017, the son of a Lyon County sheriff posted a picture of himself holding a gun on social media with the caption, “the red neck god of all gods … we bout to go n*gger huntin’ and “Watch out n*ggers.”

The girls complained but the school didn’t properly investigate said their attorney Terri Keyser-Cooper.  The clueless police chief Darren Wagner even admitted he didn’t investigate the social media threats because he thought it was covered under the First Amendment Free Speech rights.

And somehow the girls’ formal complaint paperwork got shredded.

The sisters are elated that they finally got their day in court and got a chance to teach the school a little something.

“I would like to thank everyone who had our back and listened when no one would, through this long painful experience. I learned that you should never let your voice be unheard even when people turn their backs and tell you to lower your voice. Racism is something I never thought I’d go through,” Tolliver said in a statement.

“Racism is also something many people have done nothing about, but I am proud to say that I am one of the few who stood up when my race was an issue to others. I will always look back on this tragedy knowing that it made me the strong African American woman I am today! … I hope that our story inspires others. Always remember no matter where you are from, what you look like, how different you talk, or how you walk we are all equal.”

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Moving Forward

Marriott also released a statement, noting, “I just wanted to start off saying my sister Jayla and I are so thankful. I would never in a million years believe we would have to go through what we did. For having you guys say that you are here for us and standing by our sides gave us so much hope that we could fight and overcome all the horrific behavior. In the beginning, we didn’t realize how much of a change we have made and by us being some of the many to stand up and let their voice be heard made me feel that we did change the way people judge and look at someone before they actually know them. But I want to say a BIG thank you to Swope Middle School for being some of the biggest supporters and some of the first to reach out to my sister and me.” 

The Lyon County School District released a statement saying:

It “is pleased to confirm that this matter has been resolved. The district looks forward to working positively with students, families, and staff to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone.”