Community raises more than $100,000 in support of high school teacher filmed brawling with student in class
People have donated more than $100,000 in support of a California high school teacher who was arrested after he was captured on camera brawling with a student.
Music teacher Marston Riley, 64, was taken into custody on suspicion of child abuse and causing great bodily injury on a child after the brawl broke out at Maywood Academy High School in Maywood, Calif., on Friday. However, in spite of this, members of the community have banded together to donate tens of thousands of dollars to support Riley, according to a GoFundMe started in his name.
“We all may have mixed feelings about what happened,” wrote Cecilia Diaz Jimenez, who created the fundraiser page to support the teacher. “But please do know that this is not the first time that Mr. Riley is [sic] attacked; physically or verbally. He is a great person and a great teacher.”
The footage in question shows Riley punching the student as the pair faced off in the classroom on Friday. Riley had initially asked the student to leave the classroom because he wasn’t wearing a proper uniform, Los Angeles news station KTLA reported.
The situation escalated when the student used racial slurs against the African-American teacher and also threw a basketball at him.
Following the altercation, the student was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, while Riley was arrested and later released from jail after posting almost $50,000 in bail.
“Stay strong Mr. Riley. The community stands behind you,” one supporter wrote on the GoFundMe to raise funds for the music teacher.
“Teachers deserve respect and a safe working environment free from bullying, intimidation and provocation,” another supporter wrote.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
High school teacher arrested after video shows him brawling with student in class
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Photo of Minnesota students wearing KKK hoods and blackface prompts investigation
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