Michigan students involved in social media ‘slave trade’ won’t face charges, prosecutor says
Updated May 06, 2021;
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Northern Michigan teens who were involved in a Snapchat group entitled “slave trade” did not commit any criminal acts, the local prosecutor said.
While the chat was “repulsive, racist and discriminatory,” neither did it constitute treats nor was it intended to instill fear, Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg said in a statement. The teens, some of whom are Traverse City High School students, will not face criminal charges.
Discussion within the chat included placing mock bids on people of color, including classmates, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Social media ‘slave trade’ among Traverse City students condemned by school, parents
Updated 2:05 PM;
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Some Traverse City High School students have recently targeted their minority classmates in a social media “slave trade” that put price tags on photos, Michigan Radio reports.
The alleged racist behavior was condemned by students, parents and school officials at a meeting of the Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education on Monday, the NPR affiliate reports.
On Friday, April 23, the district announced “a very serious and inappropriate incident” in which some students were using Snapchat to share “slave trade” pictures of students of color with price tags. Superintendent John VanWagoner called the behavior “disheartening.”
Kalamazoo, MI, USA / WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo | 590 AM · 106.9 FM
Apr 5, 2021 6:36 PM
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at a COVID-19 update press conference on Nov. 19, 2020. Courtesy, State of Michigan
LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are urging Michiganders to get tested for COVID-19 upon returning from Spring Break in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Students and families traveling across Michigan, to other states or out of the country risk being exposed to and carrying COVID-19 with them. This in turn could fuel outbreaks within their households and the communities where they live or visit.
COVID-19
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are urging Michiganders to get tested for COVID-19 upon returning from Spring Break in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Students and families traveling across Michigan, to other states or out of the country risk being exposed to and carrying COVID-19 with them. This in turn could fuel outbreaks within their households and the communities where they live or visit.
In efforts to make testing easier for travelers, the state is offering 37 pop-up sites located throughout Michigan as part of the special testing program.