High school band member is elbowed by cop during the middle of NOLA Mardi Gras parade prompting police investigation and fury on social media
- A high school horn player was pushed by a police officer during the show
- The student, Brandon Mitchell, appeared shaken by the alleged attack
- His mother says she is seeking a public apology for her son’s embarrassment
A video of a police officer apparently pushing a high school student during a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans has ruffled some feathers online and locally.
Brandon Mitchell, a student at a local charter school, marched with the LB Landry High School band in the Krewe of Muses parade — one of the largest of the season — Thursday evening.
During a break during the march, video shows a New Orleans Police Department officer apparently elbowing the student, who was standing right next to him at the time.
Mitchell and his fellow brass instrument-playing band members responded to the officer’s aggression with what appeared to be shock, anger and confusion.
Brandon Mitchell, a student at a local charter school, marched with the LB Landry High School band during the Krewe of Muses parade – one of the largest of the season – Thursday evening
During a break during the march, video shows a New Orleans Police Department officer apparently elbowing the student, who was standing right next to him at the time.
There appears to be a tense exchange before the band gets moving again and Mitchell and his friend continue.
Tiffany Jones, Mitchell’s mother, told A local sales point her son did not deserve the unnamed officer’s aggressive behavior and described him as a considerate friend and rule follower.
“I want a public apology because my son has been publicly embarrassed,” she said.
She confirmed that her son and his friends were shocked by the behavior.
Algiers Charters, which oversees LB Landry High School, released a statement expressing disappointment in the officer’s observed behavior during the parade.
“We at Algiers Charter are deeply disappointed by the incident captured in the video, in which an NOPD officer pushes an LB Landry student and member of the Marching Pride of Algiers Band Unit.
“However, we commend our students for their restraint and refusal to engage in negative behavior. This incident underlines the importance of the conflict resolution lessons we teach our students.”
“I want a public apology because my son was publicly embarrassed,” said Mitchell’s mother, Tiffany Jones
LB Landry High School said it is in the process of initiating a meeting with the New Orleans Police Department “to immediately address this matter.”
The agency added that it is in the process of initiating a meeting with the New Orleans Police Department “to immediately address this matter.”
“Such behavior does not reflect the standards we expect from law enforcement officers, nor is it the behavior we expect our young students to encounter from authorities,” the statement continued.
‘Respect for authority and appropriate behavior remain core values that we teach our students.’
The department has reportedly already opened an investigation into the incident and informed the school that the process is being strictly adhered to.