A Mother's Cry Responds to Terroristic Threats!

PRESS STATEMENT — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Mother’s Cry

September 26, 2025

I watched the video from Parkside High School, here in Salisbury Md, and I am angry, hurt, and sickened. What I saw was not a moment of “kids being kids.” It was blatant racism, a terroristic threat, and a violent failure of the adults who are supposed to protect our children.

In the video, a white student stands over a Black student screaming, “I’m going to kill you — I’m going to get my gun and shoot your Black ass,” while a staff member drags the Black student across the floor. Threats of gun violence are not school discipline issues — they are federal crimes. Racial slurs and terroristic threats are not acceptable, and they cannot be minimized, excused, or swept under the rug.

We stand in full solidarity with the statement released by Demetria Marshall Leonard, Chair of the Wicomico Democratic Central Committee, who spoke boldly and truthfully about the racism and terroristic threats exposed in this video. A Mother’s Cry echoes her call for accountability and joins in demanding urgent, decisive action to protect our children.

We demand immediate, transparent action from every leader with authority to protect our children: Superintendent Micah Stauffer, Principal Tara Downes, the Wicomico County Board of Education, County Executive Julie Giordano, the Wicomico County Council, our state representatives, Mayor Randy Taylor, and the Salisbury City Council. Specifically, we call for:

An immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into this incident.

The suspension (pending investigation) of any staff member whose actions endangered a student.

The suspension (pending investigation) of the student who made the terroristic threat.

Full cooperation with law enforcement so criminal charges for terroristic threats and hate crimes can be evaluated.

Immediate, trauma-informed support and protection for the victim and their family, including counseling and safe schooling alternatives.

A clear public plan to prevent future incidents: anti-racism training, de-escalation training for staff, a zero-tolerance policy for terroristic threats, and a transparent reporting pathway for students and families.

A public, in-person community meeting with school leaders and law enforcement within seven (7) calendar days to answer questions and outline next steps.

Black students in Wicomico County must not be forced to sit in classrooms where their lives are threatened and their humanity is denied. If our leaders will not protect our children, then step aside — because we will.

In solidarity,

Rev. Jamesina E. Greene (Jami Greene)

Founder — A Mother’s Cry

A Mother's Cry denounces any words or behaviors that undermine a person's worth, particularly with regards to race, ethnicity or gender. ~ Michele Kennedy-Kouadio (VP of A Mother's Cry)