Coatesville students protest after racial incidents

COATESVILLE, Pa. (WTXF) - Students at Coatesville Area High School staged a protest outside the school Friday morning in response to recent racial incidents involving fellow students.

In recent weeks, the school has been forced to respond to a series of racial incidents including the discovery of a black baby doll hanging from a ceiling in one of the school's locker rooms. The school says the doll was placed there by a member of the cross country team.

Days later, photos surfaced online with a group of students apparently standing behind pumpkins that had been carved with 'KKK' and Swastikas.

Earlier this week, a small protest group marched to the school ground where they were met by some 200 students in a loud but orderly protest.

MORE: Claims of racism cause parents to march in Coatesville

While some parents believe administrators have failed to act quickly, district officials say they're meeting with students to talk about race and investigating the doll incident.

"Racism will not define us. We will continue to spend every day educating kids, teachers and the community to be tolerant of the differences we value," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cathy Taschner.

The District says it has asked local police to determine whether this was a hate crime.