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'Kick a Ginger Day' Spawned At Least 5 Attacks on Redheaded Kids
Why were redheaded kids getting beat up last week? (Photo by Brymo via Flickr)
Kids at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas hopped on the bandwagon fueled by a Facebook group posting that declared last Friday "Kick a Ginger Day." Inspired by TV's irreverent Comedy Central show South Park, of which a 2005 episode "focused on prejudice against 'gingers,' a label given to people with red hair, fair skin, and freckles," school-age kids participated in beatings of redheaded classmates, according to KTLA.
Last year a Facebook group sprung up, and on Friday, "at least five attacks on red-haired students" took place at A.E. Wright, including a 7th grader who was "kicked and beaten by 14 classmates in two separate incidents," and three other kids who have come forward. Authorities "are pursuing the investigation as a possible assault with a deadly weapon," though no one required hospitalization.
A search of Facebook reveals that the only groups referencing "Kick a Ginger" remaining on the site are those opposed to the action.
Anyone with information about "Kick a Ginger Day" incidents at the school should call the Calabasas sheriff's station at (818) 878-1808.
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