A California Catholic school has just been hit with a hefty payout order for expelling two students.
These students, attending the prestigious Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California, were merely 14 when they snapped a controversial photo.
Little did they know, this image would stir up major trouble years later.
The teens demonstrated that the green substance in the photo was simply an acne mask, used to support a friend battling severe acne.
The photo, taken back in 2017, captures three boys sporting the mask, initially light green but darkening as it dried, purchased by one of their moms.
Identified only as A.H. and H.H. in the lawsuit, their anonymity remains protected.
Despite the innocent intentions, the photo went viral in 2020 amidst the Black Lives Matter protests, leading to their expulsion.
A Santa Clara County jury, however, recently ruled that the school failed to provide a fair process before expelling the students.
Now, each of the students is set to receive $500,000 and a refund of their $70,000 tuition fees.
Krista Baughman, an attorney for the teens, applauded the verdict, highlighting its wider implications.
She commented, “This case is a landmark for not only our clients but for setting a precedent that all private high schools in California must offer fair procedures to their students before enacting punishments or expulsions.
“The jury rightly confirmed that Saint Francis High School’s procedures were unfair to our clients and that the school is not above the law.
The school expressed its disagreement with the verdict and is considering an appeal.
A.H.’s family released a statement thanking the jury and court system, saying, “We are grateful for the justice received, which also helps in clearing our boys’ names from accusations they never committed.”
While the initial lawsuit aimed for $20 million, claiming defamation and free speech violations, these claims were dismissed by the jury.
UNILAD has reached out to Saint Francis High School for further comments.