https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/5694365/woede-in-vs-trump-aanhangers-vietnamveteraan-belachelijk-maken.html
used translate to convert
A Catholic school in Kentucky in the US has condemned a group of its students, who Friday in Washington made a Vietnam veteran ridiculous. The movie went viral Saturday.
The teenagers wore caps and shirts with the text ' Make America Great Again ', the slogan of the American president Donald Trump. They were in Washington to participate in an anti-abortion demonstration.
At the same time, a group of Americans of Indian descent was practically engaged in an annual ritual to honor the fallen soldiers of Indian descent. The Catholic teenagers went around the group and especially attacked the tribal elder, the well-known Vietnam veteran Nathan Phillips.
A number of people chanted texts like 'Build the wall! Build the wall! '. With this they referred to Trump's plan to build a wall for billions of dollars between the United States and Mexico to stop more illegal immigrants. Due to disagreement over the controversial plan, one million civil servants have not been paid for four weeks.
American students make Indian Vietnam veteran ridiculous American students make Indian Vietnam veteran ridiculous
Indian activist reacts crying
The images were shared online by Americans of Indian descent who attended the ritual. The 64-year-old Phillips posted a reaction online in which he said cryingly that the incident had hit him a lot.
"That is our country," he says. "There are no walls there, that has never happened, I wish these young men would spend their energy on making this country really bigger, for example by helping people who are starving."
Phillips is a familiar face within the Indian community. The man fought in Vietnam and is one of the best-known activists for the rights of the original inhabitants of the US. He was also one of the main spokesmen of the protests against the construction of an oil pipeline that was planned in North Dakota right through holy Indian land.
Many politicians strongly condemn the incident
Both videos caused a lot of commotion in the US on Saturday. The school where the boys are sitting rushed to issue a statement in which the behavior of the students was condemned. "We are investigating the case and will take appropriate measures", according to the school board.
Several national politicians have condemned the incident. "This video shows intolerance and racism," states the mayor of Covington, the city where the school is located, in a reaction. "These are not core values of our beautiful city."
Alison Lundergan Grimes, the state secretary of the state of Kentucky, also reached out to the teenagers. She also pointed out, however, that children learn such behavior. "Their parents and this government tolerate that this kind of incident takes place," said the minister.