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By Janelle Griffith
A Wisconsin school district has launched an investigation after a photo of what appears to be a group of mostly white male students holding up a Nazi salute went viral.
In the image, about 50 students from Baraboo High School in Baraboo, Wisconsin, dressed in suits, are seen smiling with their right arms extended straight in the air, reminiscent of the infamous "Sieg Heil" salute.
Some students also appear to be giving the okay-sign white power salute in the photo.
Baraboo School district superintendent Lori Mueller released a statement on Monday condemning the group photo.
"If the gesture is what it appears to be, the District will pursue any and all available and appropriate actions, including legal, to address the issue," Mueller said in a letter sent to parents Monday morning.
The Baraboo Police Department also said it is assisting the school district with its investigation.
Mueller said the district has determined that the photo is from last spring and was not taken on school property or at a school-sponsored event. The image was originally posted to a photographer's website with other photos from the school's junior prom. The entire album has since been removed.
A few of the teens did not make any gesture.
The Anti-Defamation League of the Midwest said in a statement the Sig Heil salute is never acceptable and must not be normalized, adding that the agency "stands ready to educate with resources and training."
The organization also said it hopes the school will take appropriate action.
State representative Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, said the incident is a clear reminder that racism is still present in the Baraboo community and in America.
"I hope we use this incident as an opportunity to take a serious, critical look at the differences between our stated values and the behaviors we see in our community," Considine said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...nts-apparently-give-nazi-salute-viral-n935241
