On Wednesday Dec. 11 a peaceful protest was planned by Chief Sealth International senior girls basketball player Fahima Mohamed. That protest meant she would sit out the game, and then read a statement to draw attention to the recent gun violence in West Seattle that claimed the lives of two 15 year old Sealth students, Sudayis Ida and Mobarak Adam.
In attempting to enter the gymnasium to cover the story, both Westside Seattle and Q13Fox News were barred from entry by order of Sealth Principal Ray Garcia-Morales. Asked to leave the campus despite the public being allowed to attend the game and even photograph and take video of the actions and words of Fahima Mohamed, both media outlets were denied their First Amendment rights.
Seattle Public Schools was asked for a statement regarding this illegal action and they issued the following:
"Seattle Public Schools (SPS) apologizes for the misunderstanding regarding media coverage during a basketball game at Chief Sealth International High School, and for the inconvenience caused by the decision to restrict camera and reporter access during this time.
The district understands the vital role the media plays in covering events at which students have the opportunity to speak out and share their stories, and we appreciate the media’s commitment to bringing these important moments to the community.
Principal Ray Garcia-Morales supports the student-athlete’s efforts to bring awareness to gun violence through peaceful protest. He is deeply committed to fostering a culture of trust, equity, social justice, and transparency at his school. He remains dedicated to working closely with all underserved communities to ensure open communication and a collaborative environment.
We look forward to continuing our efforts to support students and share their voices in a meaningful way.
Sophia Charchuk (she/her)
Communications Specialist"
Fahima herself was dismayed by the actions of the school administration and went ahead with her plans, which had the full support of her coach and teammates.
