It is proper that the FBI is investigating threats made against students from a Catholic high school in Covington, Ky., after they were presented in a false light that generated a national wave of political hatred.
Students from Covington Catholic High School went to the nation’s capital Jan. 18 to exercise their constitutional right to rally against abortion rights on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that legalized abortion. A viral video made it appear that they — especially student Nicholas Sandmann — mocked an elder Native American demonstrator, which turned a national frenzy of hate-filled criticism on the youths, some of it wishing them bodily harm.
A comedian on Twitter offered sex to anyone who would punch young Sandmann. A movie producer tweeted that the boys should “go screaming, hats first, into the woodchipper.” Even the Bishop of Covington, the Rev. Roger Foys, issued a statement in which the students were “condemned” for their behavior.
It took the better part of two days to debunk the video and reveal that it presented, at best, an exaggerated picture, and that early news reports — including from mainstream media which should have shown more professionalism — got some details wrong.
Many critics were forced to retract their angry initial comments.
The embarrassed bishop apologized a few days later, having forgotten the first rule of being a shepherd — protect your flock, don’t feed it to the wolves.
Twitter suspended the account that shared the initial video clip for violating its policy against “fake and misleading accounts.” The account belonged to a blogger in Brazil, not, as claimed, a California schoolteacher.
Covington Catholic was shut down for a day for security.
A thorough investigation is warranted, and anyone who issued a specific threat deserves to be evaluated for prosecution. Furthermore, the results of the investigation should be fully divulged.
The public, especially those who live in social media, should engage in some self-examination. Resist the temptation to fire off an angry Tweet, especially when young people are involved. Examine the source and remain calm.
First Published February 14, 2019, 10:45 a.m.
