In VP-elect Pence's hometown, students face 'Build that wall!' taunts

Election-related taunts of Hispanic students in Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s hometown of Columbus have prompted school administrators to call for civility and respect.

Those taunts have included chants of "build that wall!" that made some students uncomfortable.

“The results of the recent Presidential election have inspired a myriad of reactions and behaviors within our local community and local schools,” Jim Roberts, superintendent of Bartholomew Consolidated Schools, said in a memo Friday to staff and other stakeholders.

He said "some of these reactions have included remarks and behaviors that are particularly hurtful to many members of our student body and compromise our efforts to provide a welcoming and diverse learning culture of respect, fairness and trust for all."

Roberts did not identify any specific incidents in his letter, and district officials declined to comment beyond the memo.

VP-elect Pence taking over Trump's transition team

But one parent, Felipe Martinez, said his two sons, who are Hispanic, were intimidated by other students on two occasions with chants of “build that wall!” One incident occurred on Election Day.

“My stomach is in a knot,” Martinez, a pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, wrote in a Facebook post. “The intimidation and hatred is escalating.”

Chants of “build that wall!” were frequent at campaign rallies for President-elect Donald Trump. He has promised to build a border wall between Mexico and the United States and deport millions of immigrants who are here illegally.

IndyStar reached out to Pence through a campaign spokesman but did not immediately receive a response. The governor returned to Indiana on Thursday for the first time since being elected vice president and visited Camp Atterbury, about 15 miles from Columbus, for a Veterans Day ceremony Friday.

In an interview with IndyStar, Martinez said he addressed the incidents with school administrators and has been happy with the response.

“I believe that we have normalized or given societal permission to express some opinions in a way that is more about discrimination and hate than it is about immigration policies,” he said. “I believe that these expressions of hate are not new, and in some way the current political environment has pulled the curtain … as to make them visible. There are individuals who have felt emboldened to express hate.”

In his memo, Roberts said school administrators and staff members are communicating expectations, providing counsel to those in need and delivering corrective measures as warranted.

“Our school system will not tolerate actions that demonstrate a lack of understanding and respect for our differences,” he said.

The district is asking students and families to report any concerns to teachers or school administrators so they can be immediately addressed.

“In addition, we request the contributions of all stakeholders in the community in order to most effectively address the raw feelings that currently exist,” he said. “Regardless of our political leanings, it is imperative that we address each other in a civil manner, openly communicate, and actively demonstrate respect and appreciation.”

Columbus, about 45 miles south of Indianapolis, is not the only place to experience such issues.

In the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak, a viral video of middle school students shouting “build the wall!” during a lunch hour Wednesday prompted the school’s principal to respond with a YouTube message calling the behavior unacceptable.

Other incidents have been reported elsewhere in Michigan and in Utah.

Martinez said he has been encouraged by the outpouring of support from community members. He said a rally was planned for Friday in downtown Columbus to support diversity.

“I am very careful about how I speak about these matters as to not speak in a partisan way. But I am able to address directly and stand on values and principles that are dear to my Christian tradition and speak out against injustice and against xenophobia and against misogyny,” he said. “I understand the task is difficult, but I don’t feel a sense of despair.”

Trump faced criticism throughout his campaign for his comments on immigrants. He has called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” and has suggested that Mexico sends criminals and rapists across the border.

He also criticized U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel, who was born in Indiana to immigrant parents. Curiel is presiding over class-action lawsuits against Trump's now-inactive real estate school, Trump University.

Trump called Curiel a "hater" and suggested he is biased because of his Mexican heritage. When asked by CNN's Jake Tapper in June whether his comments were racist, Trump said: "We're building a wall. He’s a Mexican."

Pence had condemned Trump’s ethnicity-based remarks about the judge. A month later, he became Trump’s running mate.

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.

Mike Pence: ‘Help is on the way’ for nation's veterans

Next VP: 10 things to know about Indiana Gov. Mike Pence

Pence could play influential role as the next vice president