World

Outcry after students mock Native American in Washington

A diocese in Kentucky apologised after videos emerged showing students from the Catholic boys' high school mocking Native Americans
A diocese in Kentucky apologised after videos emerged showing students from the Catholic boys' high school mocking Native Americans A diocese in Kentucky apologised after videos emerged showing students from the Catholic boys' high school mocking Native Americans

A DIOCESE in the US has apologised after videos emerged showing students from a Catholic boys' high school mocking Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

The Indigenous Peoples March in Washington coincided with the March for Life, which drew thousands of anti-abortion protesters, including a group from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills.

Videos circulating online show a youth staring at and standing extremely close to Nathan Phillips, a 64-year-old Native American man singing and playing a drum.

Other students, some wearing Covington clothing and many wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and sweat shirts, surrounded them, chanting, laughing and jeering.

In a joint statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School apologised to Mr Phillips.

Officials said they are investigating and will take "appropriate action, up to and including expulsion".

"We extend our deepest apologies to Mr Phillips," the statement read. "This behaviour is opposed to the Church's teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person."

According to the Indian Country Today website, Mr Phillips is an Omaha elder and Vietnam veteran who holds an annual ceremony honouring Native American veterans at Arlington National Cemetery.