A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Statement from the Covington Catholic High School junior in the viral video at Lincoln Memorial


Statement of Nick Sandmann, Covington Catholic High School Junior, Regarding Incident at the Lincoln Memorial:

I am providing this factual account of what happened on Friday afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial to correct misinformation and outright lies being spread about my family and me.

I am the student in the video who was confronted by the Native American protestor. I arrived at the Lincoln Memorial at 4:30 p.m. I was told to be there by 5:30 p.m., when our busses were due to leave Washington for the trip back to Kentucky. We had been attending the March for Life rally and then had split up into small groups to do sightseeing.

When we arrived, we noticed four African American protestors who were also on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I am not sure what they were protesting, and I did not interact with them. I did hear them direct derogatory insults at our school group.

The protestors said hateful things. They called us “racists,” “bigots,” “white crackers,” “faggots,” and “incest kids.” They also taunted an African American student from my school by telling him that we would “harvest his organs.” I have no idea what that insult means, but it was startling to hear.

Because we were being loudly attacked and taunted in public, a student in our group asked one of our teacher chaperones for permission to begin our school spirit chants to counter the hateful things that were being shouted at our group. The chants are commonly used at sporting events. They are all positive in nature and sound like what you would hear at any high school. Our chaperone gave us permission to use our school chants. We would not have done that without obtaining permission from the adults in charge of our group.

At no time did I hear any student chant anything other than the school spirit chants. I did not witness or hear any students chant “build that wall” or anything hateful or racist at any time. Assertions to the contrary are simply false. Our chants were loud because we wanted to drown out the hateful comments that were being shouted at us by the protestors.

After a few minutes of chanting, the Native American protestors, who I hadn’t previously noticed, approached our group. The Native American protestors had drums and were accompanied by at least one person with a camera.

The protestor everyone has seen in the video began playing his drum as he waded into the crowd, which parted for him. I did not see anyone try to block his path. He locked eyes with me and approached me, coming within inches of my face. He played his drum the entire time he was in my face.

I never interacted with this protestor. I did not speak to him. I did not make any hand gestures or other aggressive moves. To be honest, I was startled and confused as to why he had approached me. We had already been yelled at by another group of protestors, and when the second group approached I was worried that a situation was getting out of control where adults were attempting to provoke teenagers.

I believed that by remaining motionless and calm, I was helping to diffuse the situation. I realized everyone had cameras and that perhaps a group of adults was trying to provoke a group of teenagers into a larger conflict. I said a silent prayer that the situation would not get out of hand.

During the period of the drumming, a member of the protestor’s entourage began yelling at a fellow student that we “stole our land” and that we should “go back to Europe.” I heard one of my fellow students begin to respond. I motioned to my classmate and tried to get him to stop engaging with the protestor, as I was still in the mindset that we needed to calm down tensions.

I never felt like I was blocking the Native American protestor. He did not make any attempt to go around me. It was clear to me that he had singled me out for a confrontation, although I am not sure why.

The engagement ended when one of our teachers told me the busses had arrived and it was time to go. I obeyed my teacher and simply walked to the busses. At that moment, I thought I had diffused the situation by remaining calm, and I was thankful nothing physical had occurred.

I never understood why either of the two groups of protestors were engaging with us, or exactly what they were protesting at the Lincoln Memorial. We were simply there to meet a bus, not become central players in a media spectacle. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever encountered any sort of public protest, let alone this kind of confrontation or demonstration.

I was not intentionally making faces at the protestor. I did smile at one point because I wanted him to know that I was not going to become angry, intimidated or be provoked into a larger confrontation. I am a faithful Christian and practicing Catholic, and I always try to live up to the ideals my faith teaches me – to remain respectful of others, and to take no action that would lead to conflict or violence.

I harbor no ill will for this person. I respect this person’s right to protest and engage in free speech activities, and I support his chanting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial any day of the week. I believe he should re-think his tactics of invading the personal space of others, but that is his choice to make.

I am being called every name in the book, including a racist, and I will not stand for this mob-like character assassination of my family’s name. My parents were not on the trip, and I strive to represent my family in a respectful way in all public settings.

Captured from the video

I have received physical and death threats via social media, as well as hateful insults. One person threatened to harm me at school, and one person claims to live in my neighborhood. My parents are receiving death and professional threats because of the social media mob that has formed over this issue.

I love my school, my teachers and my classmates. I work hard to achieve good grades and to participate in several extracurricular activities. I am mortified that so many people have come to believe something that did not happen – that students from my school were chanting or acting in a racist fashion toward African Americans or Native Americans. I did not do that, do not have hateful feelings in my heart, and did not witness any of my classmates doing that.

I cannot speak for everyone, only for myself. But I can tell you my experience with Covington Catholic is that students are respectful of all races and cultures. We also support everyone’s right to free speech.

I am not going to comment on the words or account of Mr. Phillips, as I don’t know him and would not presume to know what is in his heart or mind. Nor am I going to comment further on the other protestors, as I don’t know their hearts or minds, either.

I have read that Mr. Phillips is a veteran of the United States Marines. I thank him for his service and am grateful to anyone who puts on the uniform to defend our nation. If anyone has earned the right to speak freely, it is a U.S. Marine veteran.

I can only speak for myself and what I observed and felt at the time. But I would caution everyone passing judgment based on a few seconds of video to watch the longer video clips that are on the internet, as they show a much different story than is being portrayed by people with agendas.

I provided this account of events to the Diocese of Covington so they may know exactly what happened, and I stand ready and willing to cooperate with any investigation they are conducting.

Note: This is the only statement that has been made by the Sandmann family. Any comments attributed to any member of the family that are not contained here are fabricated. The family will not be answering individual media inquiries.


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151 Comments

  1. KS says:

    Thank you! May God bless and protect you, your classmates, and your families. What a learning experience for all of us who watched a short clip and thought we had even a glimpse of the facts.

    • MAGA?? says:

      I see a smug face parked in front of an Native American Indian playing a drum and singing. Nick, you could have easily and respectfully moved aside. I see arrogance, and provocative behavior.
      And yes, I watched the entire video. I see a bunch of young boys, besides themselves, overstimulated, not know what to do with themselves. Some kids look like they are joining in, some look like they are mocking the drummer, but they are all feeding off of each other. Juvenile behavior. And I don’t see any adult chaperones.
      I don’t even believe you wrote this article, someone wrote it for you.

      • Natalie Palma says:

        Seriously! That’s all that you see? I see a supposed ADULT religious group taunting, name calling and yelling profanities! I see an elderly ADULT Native American playing a drum in someone’s face claiming he stole his land. I see ADULT chaperones who should of removed these teenagers from this area long before it got to this point. And right now I am reading another angry ADULT who is only willing to see what he thinks is right! You and all the rest of the ADULTS are a huge part of the problems!

        • Kelly Vance says:

          Thank you, Natalie… I agree except for one point of your statement, and that is, the ADULT chaperones were probably told exactly where the group of teens were to wait for their bus. I know the area around the monument and the organization of the area is strict – has to be. They had no choice. It was the protesting ADULTS that invaded the teens’ space. The dishonest media did not show the whole video. Too many people jump to conclusions before all the facts are known… sadly, facts are hard to get these days. As to the parents of this and the other students, I would be very proud of your child’s behavior.

        • Mark Leonard says:

          Please Do not let your children Talk to Nathan Phillips Indian agitator. And don’t Believe anything coming out of his mouth. Nathan Phillips is a Indians agitator. He is a Known liar. lied about his service in Vietnam. Have you ever heard the term stolen valor. the closest he got to Vietnam was California. On Saturday night Nathan Phillips and his merry band of fools. We’re committing a hate crime against the Catholic Church. By the way he entered the military and left the military with the same rank. That tells you how much of a loser he really is. Your kids handled these bigots better than I probably would have. They are exceptional kids. They should all be congratulated. the only embarrassment might be on the first statements that came out of their school and archdiocese. I believe these two organizations need to be the ones apologizing to the boys.

      • Norm says:

        Sounds like you along with the fake news media , don’t wait for the facts to come out …
        It seems you along with many others have assumed and labeled children….
        People like you are beneath shame…
        leave the children alone ! Pick on someone your own size !!!

      • Chantel says:

        I see a grown man being very physically aggressive to a child. I see native Americans being extremely racist and yelling at kids to go back to Europe. I see a kid staying much calmer then I would have been in the same situation. And I see a bunch of people jumping on a ridiculous bandwagon who only see what they want to see because it fits their agenda.

    • Betty says:

      I see a smug liar,

    • David says:

      Nick, Get used to defending yourself for your behaviors. If you continue to behave as you have so far, this will be a constant nagging theme in your life. Lying to the world and lying to yourself will eventually catch up to you.

  2. Rick Schuler says:

    Your parents must be proud of you. Thank God for young people with character. The antidote for all of the vileness directed towards you lay in your honest and courageous statement.

  3. JOYCE GREEN says:

    I am sorry for what you and your family are going through. I support you and believe you, and I am thoroughly disgusted with the media for running with a story without all the facts. The bias in our media is quite troubling. Your school is fortunate to have you represent it in Washington, DC on this trip. You handled the situation well and are to be commended. I hope your school leaders will come to the same conclusion.

  4. Chris Cary says:

    The kid has more integrity than any of his critics within the news media or without.

    • Rick Bartlett says:

      So sadly true. It is a true shame that news in this country now has ZERO integrity. Further, that Adults were the true perpetrators. Everyone with a shred of honesty and decency would find these kids were far more mature, reserved, and in control, then their supposed “victims”.

  5. Brittany Bruning says:

    May God bless you and protect you and your family.

  6. James says:

    Thank you for your display of Christ-like character throughout this troubling situation. Many in the media and in our world hate Christians, they hate that you were marching for the rights of the unborn and they will take any opportunity to destroy you, even if you’re a minor. We are praying that God will use this situation for His glory and your good.

  7. Todd Mohler says:

    Got your back Nick

  8. Bill Caldwell says:

    Nick you are a young man with honor and decency. The MSM HAS unfairly DEPICTED YOU DIFFERENTLY!! I too am a Vietnam veteran and I salute you for your courage. Keep the faith young AMERICAN BROTHER you make us all proud!! Thank you!!

  9. Antoinette Johnson says:

    Your parents should be proud of you. The media owes a huge apology to the students of Covington Catholic. I tthink some adults need to walk in your shoes. I don’t know what I would do in that situation. You showed more maturity than any of the adults involved.

  10. Elle G says:

    I actually can believe this. The reason for the spin was largely and mostly because of the hats. If he didn’t wear the hat, people wouldn’t have been quick to judge.

    • Randall says:

      Yes, the hats. Thank you, Elle G, for having the courage to face up to what so many here have turned a blind eye: the use of political paraphernalia during a school-sponsored outing.

      Imagine, for a moment, that these young people were students, not of a private religious school, but of a public school, attending a March For Our Lives rally. Imagine that they were wearing hats that said “Black Lives Matter” or “Hope and Change.” Leave every other aspect of this situation as it is, as it has been presented by Nick Sandmann, but just change those two or three details.

      Would you and the other commenters be just as supportive? Would you still commend Nick for his bravery, his cool head?

      As it is, what we *do* have is a private, religious institution attending a political rally. Churches and their private schools enjoy a blanket tax exemption–provided they avoid certain political activities. I wonder if attending a political rally is allowed under such tax exemptions?

      • Jane says:

        Say WHAT??? Most Christians support life and since when does attending a religious school forbid students from political activity?

        • Anon says:

          Nothing is in the way of students participating in political activity, regardless of what school they attend. Randall’s point is that the SCHOOL sponsored this trip. If the kids carpooled together on their own time, there wouldn’t be an issue with the school. And, no, it’s plainly not right for any organization that doesn’t pay taxes to have any say in the political process. They should lose their tax exempt status for engaging in political activity by sponsoring such trips.

      • Michele Schiesser says:

        You are misinformed about the right to wear hats and need to bone up on our First Amendment. Like carrying signs this is an expression of freedom of speech and is afforded every American, even those whose Church has a tax exemption. As an aside, I fail to see how endorsing a slogan such as “Make America Great Again” is in any way offensive. That you find it so is revealing.

      • tyshab says:

        Had they been wearing Black Lives matters or hope and change hats or shirts they never would have been approached. In fact many wear this type clothing everyday and are not singled out and confronted for their choice. Choice of clothing should not matter, we live in a country which has free speech. That includes speech you do not agree with. I doubt you have similar concerns about teachers taking their classes to political rallies and public schools are also tax exempt.
        Adults acting in this manner to teenagers is not acceptable.

      • Norm says:

        Really….really?
        Sounds like you are part of the media problem….bias….seems to get you everywhere…
        this is America …freedom of speech use to be here….
        threats coming from people like you are common in this era…

      • Mark Leonard says:

        Planned Parenthood performed 321,384 abortions just Last year. They holds tax exempt status. Then they knowingly and illegally sell the parts of the babies to make money. Then they use that money to give to the Democratic Party so that they can receive more taxpayer money to kill more babies. But you support there Tax exempt status?

    • Mary Jo says:

      I agree with you about the hats; they were the catalyst for this becoming a political issue. We are a county that is deeply divided and this incident has given each ‘side’ another excuse to say..’See, we are right and you are wrong’. How about asking genuine questions of each other, how about suspending judgement all together and entering into genuine conversations with those who hold different opinions from our own? What would happen if we tried to find our common ground, our shared values? What if this incident is a call from God for all of us to be more receptive to each other ?

  11. Megan says:

    Congratulations to this young man’s parents for raising an intelligent, thoughtful individual. I saw both accounts and it is clear that the liberal media is as usual trying to turn something into a narrative to meet their needs. It is reprehensible to me that they would use this poor kid as a pawn but not surprising based on the last two years.
    As the parent of a son around this age that just graduated from Catholic school I know the values and respect that the school teaches to and expects from the students.
    I sincerely wish the best for this kid and his family.

    • George says:

      Ha Ha Ha!
      To: Elizabeth, Megan, Gwen, Krista and Lisa who believes the teenagers acted with grace and maturity and at least another 100 or so lost souls just floundering in ignorance:

      You are invisible. You are a shell of a living breathing shadow.
      You believed you actually had a brain. But you are pathetic and will never have a brain.
      Why do you advertise your ignorance? Sad

  12. Christina Kossenjans says:

    My family are fully supporting the CovCath students.

  13. Adrian says:

    It’s clear from reviewing multiple videos of what transpired, the CCHSJ students have been unjustly and unfairly maligned.

    In an egregious rush to judgement, many people, in the press and online, have acted upon their own prejudices and ignorance.

    Thankfully the truth is coming out. May more people view all the videos, read all the statements, and then, those who’ve been so wrong in this situation, need to own up and apologize to Nick Sandmann, his classmates, the school and all those hurt by the false words.

  14. Elizabeth says:

    Your Archdiocese and high school have issued a statement which is directly at-odds with your most unbelievable claim that you and those cheering you on were the victims in this particular encounter (made all the more unbelievable because we saw the videos); I quote: “We condemn the actions of the Covington Catholic High School students towards Nathan Phillips specifically, and Native Americans in general, Jan. 18, after the March for Life, in Washington, D.C. We extend our deepest apologies to Mr. Phillips. This behavior is opposed to the Church’s teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person.”

    • John Gallant says:

      Elizabeth, please give it up. Too many people have seen the full videos for you to continue the charade. It was a straight-up setup of innocent kids wearing MAGA hats, and the school admin swallowed the lies instantly distributed by those who arranged the setup. Remember that this is not a forum full of leftist haters like you find at the Washington Post, it’s a respectful place. Twisting the facts won’t work here.

    • John says:

      Elizabeth, the reason the school and diocese responded they way they did is because they too, were misled by the reports – and to cover their butts. Any person or institution has learned that the “left” will stop at nothing to destroy those with whom they disagree. The school and diocese showed weakness in condemning the students before learning all the details. Unfortunately, I doubt that the main stream media will admit their error or pause in self examination to consider their actions. Think about it: most of the students are minors. As such, their faces should have been obscured. But, the media is so rabid to push their agenda, that they CHOSE to endanger these boys because they were peaceably protesting for the Right to Life.

  15. B Smith says:

    In MAGA hats? The teacher did not have the judgement to say “come on kids, let’s go?” I would have if I were an educator. Sorry, not buying this.

  16. Mickey McDaniel says:

    I was amazed at your composure. Truly I would not of been as calm. I will continue to pray for you and all the students from CCH. Remember you don’t stand alone we support you!

  17. JC says:

    Are u kidding me? Seriously –

  18. Donna says:

    Isn’t it a shame that so many people are quick to judge before learning the facts and the truth. This is especially true of so many of our news organizations and so called journalists. It’s disgraceful!

  19. Gwen says:

    Young man be proud!!! How you handled the encounter was wonderful. Granted, I owe you an apology because the first video I saw, I though you were being disrespectful. However, after watching others and listening, I see you were not at fault. You should be regarded by your parents, peers and school as a true patriot for keeping control. I would be so proud of you if you were my son!!! I pray for you and your family safety and hope you always remember this situation in a positive way for you!

  20. Meagan O'Day-Phillips says:

    My family is in full support of you and your friends! My hope is that your school, Mayor and your community will apologize to you and admit the error in their knee jerk response to crowd speak intimidation, rather than standing up for and being proud of you and the other young men in their community.

  21. Dean Pettit says:

    Two groups of adults, harassing kids and one group relentlessly sceaming fowl-mouthed, hateful and racial insults at them as they wait for thier bus. The kids chant thier school chants to drown out the sickening bigotry. And who is the bad guy? I watched the whole video. CNN apparently has not taken the time to do so. It doesnt fit tier narrative. I think these kids represented thier school well. Thier only crime was to wear the wrong hats.

  22. Francelyn Sieverman says:

    FAKE NEWS!! We have all heard it and now we have experienced it first hand, right in our own backyard. My feelings were that you did nothing wrong even with the edited video, but I have read responses that make me fear for your safety and that of the school, I am angry that you were used to promote an agenda and that you and your family are going through this. My prayers are for your safety and your fellow students. Make this a learning experience and continue to hold your head up proud. I STAND WITH THE COV CATH KIDS!!!!!!!!!

  23. Brian says:

    I wish the news outlets had a fraction of the integrity of this boy. If they would have looked into this video even a little they would never have run this story…unless they were simply trying to push an agenda.

  24. Luellen says:

    And now you are the victim? Pulease!

  25. Mary says:

    Grateful you are part of the future Stay strong

  26. Krista says:

    This story hit close to home with me. My son has gone to the March with his highschool. He would come home and talk of the harrassment he receiced being called a raciast, rapist etc. I had prepped him each time getting in his face saying rude things or asking real hear felt questions that the opposition could address. I wanted to prepare him to show that he was educated and informed. Since this was something he felt compelled to do. I also feared something like this after the stories came home the first year. Maybe that is why I went on a crusade yest. To research and find video on line. I pieced several together and realized this is so wrong. It made me heartbroken for this young man. I sent to people I knew in the media and sent video to anyone who would listen. I am sorry this happened to all of you and sad that our world is so condemning. Guilty until proven innocent. My heart goes out to you. Your Cinti. Supporter. ❤️

  27. Bonnie Watts says:

    Stand tall young man. We need more of you to set examples for some adults in our world. Your parents raised you right.

  28. Joe VonLehman says:

    We are praying for you and your family.

  29. Len says:

    I have watched the longer video, which tells a different story than the one being touted on the internet. I completely agree with much of your assessment of what happened. But there are different angles of the interactions which show the students surrounding everyone that looks like they are trying to intimidate the Native American protesters. However, I have also seen how they approached you and not the other way around so I definitely see why your group would become nervous and join together to feel the safety of your peers. But here would be my advice to you since you “have no idea why you were approached.” Take off the hat that represents the most racist, hateful, divisive president our country has ever seen. That would be a good start. Look at everything Trump has said and done. Is this the way a Christian is supposed to act? Really?

    • Lisa Gick says:

      Firstly, these Christian kids acted with grace and maturity. Secondly, wearing a MAGA hat is not only their right but it is not a symbol of racism. Our president is an incredible man, and incredible president. Every time I see someone blindly calling him racist, I ask for one example. By all accounts, President Trump is not a racist. Throwing the race card is really just dumb.

      • Mae says:

        Lisa, Trump was sued and lost because he denied housing applicants based soley on race. That’s actually the definition of racism.

        Not only that – NOTHING that man does is…. in ANY way…. remotely close to the way Christ told us to behave.

        If you can’t accept that, that is your shortcoming…. and you have chosen to follow Trump instead of Christ. So you can called yourself a Trumpette, but you are not a Christian. If you want to call yourself a Christian you strive to follow the teachings of Christ. That’s a period at the end of the sentence. It isn’t enough to say you merely believe Christ is the son of God….. you have to act like.

        Further to that – this kid is lying. I don’t condone death threats against him….. I don’t condone anything but forgiveness for his actions that yes – were wrong. But he should have the decency to apologize for his behavior, along with every other kid there. They are children. It’s not our job to teach them hatred and to harden their faces and their hearts. It’s our job to help them become human beings who care about others….. all others. Especially those who need it the most (which, again, is nothing like Trump, and everything like Christ taught us to do).

  30. Ellen L. Trumpler says:

    The way to dispel this rumour is to request to meet in person with the Indigenous man (Nathan Phillips) whom the media reported was “taunted” by you and others.

    If such is not true, ask to have photos taken with the Native American, in a peaceful gesture or hug — make this a “turnaround” moment in your own dialogue with him. Tell him what you have stated, that you meant no harm and that you thank him for his military service and so forth. This could dramatically change the public’s perception of the incident you believe is inaccurate. These “turnaround” moments may not seem like a lot — but to the naive public — they can mean a lot.

    Rooted at the heart of the American character is the theme of “redemption”. We can redeem ourselves thru kind words and actions. Donating some money to an Indigenous People’s charity, and letting this act be known publicly would be good. Some positive PR can help counteract all the bad publicity you and your group received.

    Above all, please realize these are tumultuous times for our Country – we have a government Shutdown going on. Folks are angry. Your hat unfortunately was a “signal” to others you support Trump, who is under great scrutiny and controversy at this time. An innocent act – wearing such a red hat – regrettably serves as a trigger for some of the worst behavior. It might behoove your group to wear school (or regular sport) hats when going to public events which get in the spotlight of the news.. Thanks, ELT

  31. David says:

    Nauseating to read the comments from Trump supporters so ready to give this kid a pass.

    Watch the video and see his friends mocking Mr. Phillips.

    • Paulus Magnus says:

      I saw this video snippet that shows David is a prog liar. Really, go find it after you search for the full length video of this prog debacle that fully debunks David’s lie.

  32. Joe Regan says:

    And your mother hates black Muslims. Pull the other leg, kid. It plays jingle bells. You just committed suicide with your future. Enjoy working at McDonalds the rest of your life.

  33. Joe Harper says:

    This is what America is up against. And the main reason Trump was elected. The Trump administration is pro life. Two years in a row VP Pence spoke at rally. A born again Christian. Trump is pro Catholic. He’s trying to stop the Left from taking over America. Restore sovereignty to America for future generations. These young Americans were there to march for the over 60 million children aborted in America. I say let them wear Trumps Hat and wear it proudly knowing we have a President in the White House that is pro life.

  34. Pam Brock says:

    I’m so proud of you. You could not POSSIBLY have acted any better than you did. Let those who LOVE you guide your heart and help define your inner dialogue as you go through the next few days until the “dissatisfied” ones lapse back and away.

  35. Jennifer says:

    I, and many people that I know support you 100%. You did a great job remaining calm in the face of all of that ugliness! Do great things with you life young man! You will be part of the solution!

  36. Robert Stone says:

    Nick, So sorry you had to learn about racism in this way. You handled the situation better than most Americans would. Thankfully we have young people that are willing to LEAD not follow the crowd. This is what I attempted to teach my children. Your parents must be proud of you as well as the rest of your school..

  37. Angelshot9876 says:

    I can not believe the haters replying to this, calling this young man a liar, because they continue to believe the fake news MEDIA. It doesnt follow the liberal agenda so therefore this young man is wrong. Take another look people at the full video, not the cut away the mefia chose to display. You all should look in a mirror . Remember judge not less you be judged. I hope he has a good attorney that will sue the pants off of everyone causing trouble for this young man

  38. DaniCalifornia says:

    I can’t believe anyone is actually defending his actions. I saw the videos. I have a brain and eyes. His own Archdiocese has already condemned his actions as against their beliefs, which obviously it would be if they are Christians. I cannot look on an act of disrespect and ignorance and be convinced it is an act of bravery.

    Man up, do the Christian thing and admit you made a mistake, you are not perfect and you need to humble yourself and learn. Jesus did not smirk in the faces of people who are grieving the wrongs done to them. He respected peoples pain and perspectives and human dignity. You should take a lesson and not hide behind false self-righteousness.

    Humble yourself at the feet of your savior and open your mind to love.

  39. Malice says:

    Why did you not step aside, when you were “confronted” by an Indigenous person, performing a chant of peace? You were the outlyer. Your stance speaks for you. Your friends were rudely mocking the chant of peace, you were intentionaly and disrespectfuly smirking and blocking Mr. Phillips, and your actions speak volumes. Social media captured you. Social media has recorded your choice of actions. You made your point, you made your bed and now you will lay in it. Be accountable for your actions. The words in “your” media response we’re not the words of a high school student; they are a legal ramification response. Better make this right, Nicholas.

    • Kelly says:

      You must not have watched the entire video… Sadly you have been duped. The students were to be at that location to wait for their bus; it was the protesters who invaded the students’ assigned space.

  40. Michelle says:

    You are wiser beyond your years. Your parents should be proud! Sending hugs and support. Keep your head high, your heart is in the right place. I hope your message reaches all the haters. God bless you.

  41. Chris Hoff says:

    Your statement is pure class and you spund like you have the heart of a true gentleman. I am sorry “adults” behaved that way towards you and your school. May God bless and protect you and your family during this difficult time. Your parents, school, classmates, community and country should be proud of you.

  42. Tammy says:

    A very coached response to look innocent after you and classmates were caught in action on multiple devices acting out, laughing, mocking, the Native Americans. You stood in defiance in front of the Elder. You didn’t look confused. And chanting a school cheer to drown out the insults? Really? The kids did not act threatened, rather they behaved with superiority, laughing it up at the seriousness of the confrontation. You should have stepped aside to get on your bus and not provoke ANYONE! The kids’ provocation was so evident. Not buying your well prepared story.

    • Terry McGregor says:

      Well said

    • bryan says:

      “stood in defiance”? was he supposed to bow and move out of the way as the native americans banged their drums and chanted in his face? How can you say its provocation to stand in your location and not move, but walking up to someones face banging a drum and chanting is not?

      can I ask an honest question. did you watch the full video where the students were called “crackers, niggers, faggots, murders, etc”? I thought for the most part, they handled themselves quite well considering they were required to be in that location to be picked up by buses, but the other individuals causing the confrontations were there by choice.

  43. Cinthia Thorp says:

    Unfortunately for this young man, the many other videos just do not support his account of the situation. Where were the adults/chaperones while this arrogant young man stared into the face of a man more than twice his age, with a smirk on his face, for nearly four minutes. There was no need for this child to stare down an adult. There should have been an adult available to put tis boy in his place and end this confrontation.

    • Paul says:

      Actually, the long video that is out there support his version 100%.

    • Johnathon H says:

      Seriously, you call for a minor to back down when a grown man (Activist and Professional victim) walks up and violates his personal space? That is a ludicrous statement. The one adult who could have averted the confrontation was the impetuous man-child banging on a drum trying to intimidate a child, but he chose not to.

    • Elijah Brown says:

      Cinthia, first, the videos fully corroborate Nick’s version of events. Feel free to post a link to any video of the event that contradicts anything he said. You can’t.

      Second, you have no basis to call Nick arrogant. It was Mr. Phillips who walked up to Nick and banged a drum in his face, not the other way around. Who’s being arrogant there?

      Third, for those “four minutes” you calculate, Mr. Phillips was banging a drum and yelling a song in Nick’s face. Where is Nick supposed to look—at the sky? At his feet? Do you really believe that if an adult man approaches you while banging a drum then you have a duty to step aside, bow, and avert your eyes? Smh.

      Finally, “there should have been an adult available?” Mr. Phillips and his buddies WERE adults, yet they they behaved like children—strolling over to bang their drums at a crowd of kids. Nick was a high schooler, yet he behaved like an adult, smiling and keeping his cool in the face of this bizarre provocation.

      His family and school should be proud. His diocese, which was quick to rush to judgement, owes him and his family a public and profound apology.

  44. Rob says:

    After watching multiple videos my opinion has changed slightly. Unfortunately the school and that kid are going to be made examples of something that comes down to teenagers being stupid. There were definitely some pretty nasty things said to the kids, but that is where a certain maturity in teenagers is lacking. The chaperones I believe are more to blame. They should have identified this as a bad situation and had the kids move on. As for the kids apology. There is no doubt in my mind that it’s a partial truth. His facial expressions paint a different story. He is by no means a hero to the rest of the kids and by no means was he trying to diffuse any situation. This problem is much bigger than the event at the Lincoln Memorial though. It is a wide spread problem in less diverse American communities. Those kids don’t understand the struggles different races of people go through. It is pretty apparent that those kids are from a from a private school with pricy admissions. They have never had to worry about when their next meal is or will they have a warm home to return to. This is where the school and parents have failed to educate them. They are content with their comfortable lifestyles and care not to involve themselves with educating the youth about the social problems in America. The Trump movement hasn’t helped either. The country hasn’t been this far on edge racially and culturally since the Civil Rights Movement. The president shares this blame by promoting fear from the borders and publicly using controversial terms when referring to people as “Pocahontas.” What he says and does is taken to heart and mimicked by primarily Caucasian’s. He sees these actions as a way of not conforming to political correctness. Then again he has always been a wealthy white male and has never had to deal with the problems others might face. It is a wonder why he has so much support from Christians when he continuously demonstrates what being a bad Christian is. So, were the activists wrong? Yes. Were the kids wrong? Yes. Do I believe this kids statement? It’s not the full truth. He is not a perfect angel and was walking the line of provoking the activists without actually crossing it himself. At the end of the day it will hopefully bring some more diversity training into schools. It’s time to wake up people. Don’t defend the school. Don’t wish harm on anyone. Teach from this incident. Act responsibly.

  45. Pat Justice says:

    Well said young man. I am so sorry that you, your classmates and families have had to endure the chastising and condemnation that others spoke of based on a small part of what transpired on Friday. Unfortunately this is what our country has come to be and its not acceptable. I’m sure they’d want to be judged fairly. This should teach us all to wait before we post something that could harm another with only part of what their seeing. I hope all is well for you, your classmates and families.

  46. Louis Dastous III says:

    I am a NAVY Veteran and I am so sorry You and your classmates had to deal with those issues Especially that disrespectful veteran,you did do the right thing by keeping calm as he could have gone off at any time on you,Son,we veterans are very proud of the way you and your friends acted, GOD BLESS YOU and Stay Safe.

    Respectfully, Louis E Dastous (USS John F Kennedy) (CV-67)(HS-11 Dragonslayers) (Helicopter Squadron)

  47. Molly says:

    Lies!
    You can see his interaction with the Black protesters here, including the part where he says the Bible is “not even a real book”
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=npX801xLSFY&fbclid=IwAR3t-mJMJRlPSjtwKCUyH1uH9OysY0SEpRCnZ4HP0Wl-2_d7zE0jABQOgig

    • s v ren says:

      Molly, when you say ‘where he says the Bible is not even a real book’, you’re mistaken about the identity of the student who said that.

  48. Heidi K DeLaughter says:

    Amen and God Bless You!!! We who have eyes to see, see. We who have ears to hear, hear.
    Thank you for being an Outstanding Young man and Beautiful Citizen in our Country!! YOU give me hope for the future that Our Country can survive this Liberal insanity!! God Bless You I God Bless The USA!!✝❣️✝❣️

  49. n stevens says:

    As a student of Catholic schools, I must admit I thought “there was another side of the story”. Anyone w/ a moderate contact w/ students should of know better. I am ashamed of the American press which has slandered you and your fellow classmates! I STRONGLY encourage you to use the legal system, as not a tool of vengeance but rather a deterrent for future victims from media attacks.

    Finally may I suggest, if you are leery of financial gain, that you may donate some/ all of the proceeds to religious freedom legal groups and pro-life movements organizations.

  50. Alexandra says:

    Nope, you admittedly stated that this Native Man did nothing but dance up and play his drum. You stood and blocked his way, with your smug face and your Maga hate hat. Your team of “innocent” friends who were already embroiled in some dispute with another group of protesters was clearly out of hand. You all made a poor choice but you especially, knew that your standing and blocking him when he had brought no threat of harm was nothing more than a control tactic and a superiority statement which is very much the statement of your hat that day. You will go down in history as the person you portrayed of hate… the Native man will go down like his ancestors as noble and defeated.

  51. Laura says:

    You maintained your composure and did nothing wrong. Welcome to the world of hateful Liberals including the MSM who put forward stories without all of the facts and show such intolerance for people with a different viewpoint. Stand up straight and tall with your head held high wearing whatever hat you choose. You were attacked simply for being a supporter of our great President. Your parents should be proud. Let the defamation lawsuits begin to clear your name against the vile on the Internet.

  52. Peace Always says:

    Wow! Great response by a strong young man. Everything that he said matches everything that I have seen in all of the footage – not just the edited footage by CNN and MSNBC. Anyone who watches the full hour and a half video, and other videos taken from multiple angles, will see that this boy speaks the truth.

    Anyone who vilifies this boy and supports violence and threats against him is anti-American and anti-peace.

  53. Amy Daniel says:

    Cinthia Throp, yes I have watched the video several times, and agree with the boy was not smiling as he claims. The expression on his face was unmistakably a smirk. I wonder what Corvington Catholic High School teachers their students about Native Americans. Where did they learn to say, “Go back to your reservation”? Is the school teaching US history as if Native Americans did not exist, or that they don’t matter as a a people? The smirk on the boy’s face and the sheer arrogance with which he stared into the face of an Native American elder smacks of total lack or respect, and certainly suggests the latter.

  54. john says:

    The kid could have “turned the other cheek” and walked away, same with the other kids they could have refrained from chanting whatever they were chanting build the wall, go team go blah blah blah THAT is irrelevant! Their instructors at a Catholic school no less! seemed to have forgotten to instill a basic phrase straight from the bible which is to turn the other cheek. as for the MAGA hats they are available all over the friggin wachington DC airports so I think those are less about a moronic ideology ad more about a souvenir that is readily available at the airport!

  55. vicky snyder says:

    God bless you and I am so sorry that you are being so vilified, despite the mountain of evidence that in fact, your group were the ones being harassed! I watched the full video and I applaud you for maintaining your calm. It is sickening that any news organization would publish the lies they have about this, and continue to do so even though they know the truth! As to the above response, you apparently haven’t seen the video of this “innocent” native american who walked up and stood almost nose to nose with this play, loudly playing his drum in the kid’s face! You believe what you want to believe regardless of the truth!,

  56. Fred Crum says:

    Covington students and their high school need to and must file suit against CNN, MSNBC and any other news organization that manipulated the video and the truth. It is disgusting what these “news” organizations will due to promote their agenda. The corrupt “news” must be held accountable. The law is on the students side including past defamation court decisions.

  57. Susan Flores says:

    Great way to spin your hate and to think we would buy it. You are not the first person to spree hate and think you can spin now that you got caught in the act of your hateful ways. You are a disgrace to this school and to the human race that see no hate . I hope this follows you forever and now the world see what a black heart fill of hate you have. Tell your parents great job raising a true racist and doesn’t res poo ect his elders let alone your school . I don’t buy your little story here .

    • bryan says:

      What hate are you referring to? standing there as someone walks up to you banging a drum and chanting in your face? The people that say the students showed hate, please be very specific in the action.

      I personally feel that these students handled themselves quite well considering they situation. They were required to be in that area to be picked up by buses. the black hebrews and native americans chose to be there. I can’t say not a single student did anything wrong because there were a lot of students there and we don’t have video of everyones actions, but as a group, I think the school should be proud of how the students handled themselves throughout the entire hour that the situation unfolded.

  58. Hicksville Kid says:

    The lessons from all this are that the radical leftists (socialists/Marxists) will frame every confrontation as the fault of their victims and that the media is the enemy of the people and gleefully join in to destroy you. You now have learned this lesson at an early age. I learned it when I was 22, some never learn as they are blind to it.

  59. Arif says:

    Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

  60. Jon says:

    This isn’t the first time this school has caused controversy, in 2015 your Covington Catholic’s fine, upstanding student body clad in blackface at one of their basketball games, I am pretty sure this type of behavior continues there today…..i am trying to be fair and understand both sides but it is getting pretty hard to support your claim.

  61. William Ripskull says:

    Nick Sandmann and everyone good are the types of people the MSM and the Left are trying to destroy. Of course mask wearing ANTIFA thugs are freedom fighters and the dirty, drug-using, free-loading losers of Occupy-Everything are the real patriots. Make no mistake about it, the Left and it’s propaganda outlet, the MSM, are doing everything in their power to make the US a Third World totalitarian, Socialist country where being white, Christian and male are a crime.

  62. Robert WATERMAN says:

    What the these young people experienced is Fascism in full throttle. May the Lord bless them and keep them,May the Lord make his face to shine upon them an bring them peace.
    My hope is they they read this reply and find a book that describes Fascism.

  63. Paulus Magnus says:

    Boy, lots of woke ❄️ progs on this comment board. None were there, yet know better than a first hand account of the event. Progressive leftism is a mental disorder with the main symptoms as projection and delusions of grandeur (e.g. trying to make another into a villain, so they can be a hero). This kid is not a villain. He’s a victim. Your victim. So, having no dog in this fight, I can truly say that I would not feel an ounce of pity for any of you prog leftists if something terrible were to happen to you, your children, or any other member of your family for the mere fact that it takes your mental disorder out of the gene pool. Please get as many abortions as you can.

  64. Barbara says:

    It’s become obvious that MAGA means Make America Great Again by keeping brown skinned people out and sending those who are here back to their native lands no matter how long they’ve lived here. The kids started chanting ‘build the wall’ at the old man. Come on. Not creditable. I hope they use this experience to reflect on their Christian upbringing and what it is supposed to mean. Cruelty to people different than you isn’t Christ-like. Jesus himself was a brown skinned immigrant whose parent’s were fleeing to another land.

    • bryan says:

      Hey barb, can you link the video that shows any student saying “build that wall”? Phillips (who made several statements that were clearly lies) has since walked back that accusation, so maybe you should as well.

  65. tyshab says:

    Nick, you handled an unprovoked confrontation well. At no time did I see you or your classmates go to or seek out the protestors, instead they approached and confronted you. Stand tall, your character was a beacon. I am very sorry adults feel the need to attack you, they are bullies staging encounters for their empty agendas. Pray for them.
    God Bless you, your family and the other students.
    To the capital police, you should do a better job about protecting visitors to the capital. Freedom of speech and the right to protest does not mean you have a right to get into another’s face.
    To Mr. Phillips, as a military vet I would have expected more honor from you. Confronting teenagers is not acceptable.

  66. Mary Ellen Bane says:

    Perhaps if these boys had been wearing “Stop Abortion” hats instead of “MAGA” hats this fiasco might not have happened. But to wear “MAGA” hats gives people the impression that they stand for everything Trumpty Dumpty stands for which I would hope is not true especially from Catholic school students. Trumpty’s views on race, immigrants, etc., not to mention his many sexual affairs with women and his lying, are not what I would expect Catholic school students to endorse.

  67. William Hagen says:

    Did this “misguided youth” ever have his DNA tested? i would love to see what is floating around, int hat gene pool.

  68. Tammie Lee says:

    After the way the Liberal Media attacked and smeared these Children at Covington HS. This Nathan Phillips is a big liberal liar and you liberals in media literally hung those children and their school, irresponsible
    Why don’t you Liberals in the MAN UP and apologize to those children

  69. Lowell says:

    Not only should your parents be proud of you, Nick, but I and many, many other patriotic Americans are proud of you. Unfortunately, to peruse some of the (minority) previous comments, there are among us too many for whom the facts don’t matter, but the progressive, hateful “narrative” trumps everything else.

  70. Paul says:

    Say whatever you want about MAGA hats, only a racist would wear one. They represent the worse about America.
    And it turns out that it was a group of Blacks who were insulting everyone who passed by the students were responding to. They were just so very, very White and sheltered, they can’t tell the difference between a Native American and a Black man, so they must be part of the same group.
    They therefore took to mocking the Native American with a drum because the scary Black people were calling them bad names.
    And WHAT THE H$!! WERE THEY DOING WEARING THE MAGA HATS?!?

  71. Kendall says:

    I truly believe that these kids thought they were doing right. Unfortunately, they are too young, naive, and influenced to understand the true meaning of the hats they were wearing. The message behind MAGA is inherently racist. The current situation with the government being held hostage by a corrupt president over a racist and ineffective border wall only feeds the flames of frustration for people of color. This includes indigenous people, like the man they confronted with a smirk of arrogance. I suggest the teachers at that private, religious school actually cover the story of how Native Americans were treated historically and shed some light on how American was not great, back then, for anyone other than the white and privileged.
    Young man, instead of trying to defend your actions, you should be taking the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Learn empathy. Ask yourself why you support this political view? Question your church and your parents. Many people don’t agree with them. Why not consider asking why?

  72. Gabrielle Gray says:

    I attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college, as did my siblings and my child. Racism was not evident, nor would it have been tolerated. We were firmly taught at home and school that all people are created equal and have equal rights, including the right to respect. But these are troubled times. The adults, parents and chaperones should have known that in representing a religious school at a public, political event, no one in their group should have worn a political hat. MAGA hats are an affront to well more than half of the population of this country, and are likely to cause divisiveness in every political situation except a Trump rally. It is incomprehensible to me how any Catholic or Christian can warp their minds around being a Trump supporter. So, where were the adults in this situation, and why didn’t school administrators have a mandate that no political attire should be worn? Don’t be so fast to blame the students…the Native Americans have their share of blame for this needlessly provocative event…but so do those who didn’t tell the students not to wear those hats.

  73. Michele Schiesser says:

    It is of note that none of the media outlets or the Twitter and Facebook mob for that matter has mentioned the bad behavior of the Native American and African American “protesters” seen and heard clearly on the videos. When we as a nation fail to apply the same standards of behavior regardless of race, sex or any other divisive tribal distinction chaos and lawlessness follow and justice is lost. The rules apply to everyone or they apply to no one. Oh and by the way, when are we going to hear a correction/retraction from the cowards at the school and Archdiocese?

  74. tyshab says:

    The hats are NOT the problem! The response to the hat is the problem! Triggered by a hat with a slogan? Really??? This justifies vilifying a teenager? Going after his family? Threatening harm to any one who disagrees with you?
    Why not consider asking why many believe America is great, despite her flaws?

  75. dws says:

    “Even an official with the Vatican is asking that question.

    “Second, where were the chaperones?” wrote Father James Martin, consultant to the Vatican’s secretariat of communications. “The idea that a group of Catholic high school students were placed, either wittingly or unwittingly, in such an incendiary situation, seems to indicate a lack of oversight.””

  76. Dave O says:

    Young man, your prayerful response was just right. Thank you for handling the situation in a mature way. Excellent statement too. Praying for you and your family

  77. Tammy says:

    I cannot believe that the kids were just “wearing hats”. Their power senses were likely heightened after marching more against women’s rights (wearing those hats) rather than marching for the right to life of the unborn, the unjust, and disadvantaged. Had they acted like true Christians we would not see such immaturity of laughing and mocking in the video and their silly retaliating school chant. The MAGA hats are the problem. They are the new hate, the new swastika. There is no unity in that hat.

  78. Kev says:

    The school and Church authorities have behaved shamefully and now compound their lazy cowardice by failing to address their mistake.
    Let’s hope they don’t become role models for any of the students.

  79. Joan Scott says:

    How about the students that were doing the”Indian Arm chop” !!!! Was that not offensive to the Native American?????

  80. George says:

    Kid! You are a LIAR.

    Can you even access the truth in your little tiny brain? You should try it. Even if it’s just for yourself. Be honest with yourself. You’ll be amazed what you can learn, and the growth that comes with being honest with yourself.
    Everyone knows you are lying, even the people trying to support you, know you are lying.

  81. Lisa says:

    God bless you and your family. You were accosted because of the MAGA hats. These people who accosted you yearn for their culture and beliefs to be accepted but attack you because you don’t believe as they do. Hypocrisy at its finest! You will get through this. It is due early and hatred spewing from them. You will come out on top.

  82. Pablo Mossman says:

    The Catholic school, to their credit, bus these students to support the Right to Life but then retreat with their tail between their legs when the wolf snarls and snaps. The lesson is: If the media attacks those we support, or issues that matter, assume it is FALSE first. And, wait and see what the facts are.

  83. LeAnn says:

    Prayers for you and your family. I would like to hear from the adult chaperones that were there, have any of them made a statement?

  84. traeh says:

    This native American, Nathan Phillips, changed his story when videos came out showing that his initial accounts were lies, yes lies. He claimed that the Catholic kids surrounded him. Bull. He approached them because some of them wore MAGA hats and he wanted to confront Trump supporters and provoke them. He walked into their midst, they did not surround him. One can see that in the video. At this point, no one should believe a word that Nathan Phillips said. He could have walked around the group of kids to get up to the memorial. Instead he walked into their midst and banged his drum rather aggressively in one kid’s face. The young man at the center of the video can actually be seen at one point in one of the videos trying to quiet down and calm another Catholic kid who was getting into an argument with another native American who was a full grown man and rather aggressive, offensive, and insulting. Nathan Phillips, the native American who provoked this whole shameful scene, could have walked around the group of kids if the goal was really just to get to the memorial. At no point do we see the native American trying to step around the kid, whom the native American approached. These kids were only teenagers and on the whole they did not behave badly for teenagers who were being harshly insulted and grossly provoked. Parts of the media shamefully assumed that Nathan Phillips was telling the truth and assumed that the kids were guilty. I hope AP and other slanderous news outlets are sued and have to pay some very serious damages, seeing as this kid’s reputation has been seriously damaged and he is receiving death threats from idiots and thugs.

  85. Sid Skiba says:

    Everyone needs to watch this video. It is long and will make you sick. But it sure changes the picture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-pFMZaw5f0

  86. Thomas Paine says:

    Buy a gun, my friend. The mob of mentally deranged is still coming for you. They will not stop either until they have your scalp (or is that word just too triggering for you hateful dandelions who think anyone has the right to dictate to anyone else IN AMERICA what to wear, do, or think). How about we bring back that oldie goldie in rape trials, “She was asking for it. Look what she was wearing. A red MAGA hat.”
    .
    Come to think of it, perhaps 2 guns/person in your family and a concealed gun permit too. Oh, and sue the living crap out everyone involved, including the protesters if you can find them: the “veteran” Indian in question who effectively assaulted a minor and the group of unhinged black protesters hurling not insults – HATE CRIMES. FIGHT BACK or become fodder under The Left’s shoes.

    History is littered with over 100 million dead bodies of those who couldn’t or wouldn’t fight back against Leftism. That’s just in the last century. When the American ISIS clones come your way, turning the other cheek is simply not correct. Its insane and potentially lethal to you. Evil, like bullies, must be confronted head-on. To quote the incredibly hateful (and in one case threatening) commentators in this comment list (who are most certainly “woke” and therefore have definitely said this quote), NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.

    This is America. BITE ME! Now, give me your money and a bit of your freedom for your vile actions, you pathetic excuses for human beings.

  87. Jeffrey Hampton says:

    So many people so easily manipulated by the media of the moment!! The truth here is more complex than either side being right or wrong. I find Nick’s statement rather self serving and pitch perfect to appeal to those predisposed toward his particular attitudes. To me, the video reveals a situation in which one group, the Black Israelites sets up a situation in which two other groups fight. Was Mr. Phillips wrong to insert himself between two groups expressing hostility to each other to prevent a riot? Does anyone support these students turning their hostility toward him? Where were the chaperones for these kids? Nick states that they were given permission to respond with these innocuous cheers. As a former teacher who led many field trips, I would never have given such permission. My efforts would have been towards getting my kids out of there fast. The first priority of these supposedly adult chaperones should have been safety and not upping the ante in a volatile crowd situation. The chaperones are fortunate that this did not become a riot and no one was hurt. Does anyone really believe that some of these kids did not respond to the Black Israelites and these native Americans with racist taunts. Even if provoked, is that ever really justifiable? Nick may or may not have heard them but I’ll bet that some of them did. Were they provoked? Maybe. But the first concern of those chaperones should have been safety and not making political points or statements.

  88. Susan says:

    If you are going to a march to protect our rights. It is a March not a live protest with violence. Mistake number 1. was wearing the hat .Religon and politics
    Do not mix at a March for freedom.and human rights. Millions have marched peacefully ( around the world)) or the last fhree years. Taking teenage boys ,
    Is #2. to protest about abortion was a mistake, who’s idea was that? They are minor boys..
    Where is respect for others? All I saw was a smug kid silently harassing an elderly man, Sandmann’s friends laughing/ cheering. . He was smug a liar and did not write the letter he presented. What a shame maybe CC should should have a mandatory class in respect and manners.

  89. Susej says:

    I cant even read this crap anymore. This young man has a bright future. The kid was a victim of the hatred, ignorance and liberal bias that is taking over this country. Just imagine if this was a minority teenager who was confronted by a white man wearing a red hat. Who would the ugly left support in that situation. Very sad day in America. I am so sorry for this young man and his family that he was victimized this way.

  90. we_e says:

    The hat you wear upon your head represents a movement of a man who is a ‘False Prophet’. Imagine yourself in the shoes of President Trump’s son Barron, who knows his father turned his back on he and his mother to have adulterer affairs with a woman who does sexual acts for all to see and had a nine month affair with a Play Boy Bunny. Does this man have the moral fiber to be trusted to lead this country, let alone set example for young Catholic Men such as yourself.

  91. Bella says:

    We all can see you, Nick. If you were not interested in causing trouble, you would have stepped out of the way. You are a smug, arrogant little snot nosed kid. And…for all of you Catholics…? Remember this?
    From the Bible, Galatians VI (King James Version):
    Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Here’s what I’m sending you Nick, a wish that you get to experience the hate and disrespect you showed this gentleman. I hope you and your family are mocked and belittled, not just once but a thousand times. Maybe then you will learn the meaning of compassion.

  92. Burmell Walter says:

    It is obvious to me that the hat is what all of this is about. I have never seen so much hate for a president who is trying to do what he promised while running. This event in itself should sell 150,000,000 MAGA hats.

  93. Sandy G. says:

    Nick Sandmann – please send a new version of this incident.I cannot stop my incredible disbelief that a potential criminal had the gall to write this letter of explanation full of lies, half truths,embellishments, indignation, one of the most insidious videos I have ever seen, Nick comes out swinging – attempting to make himself a victim – huh, that type of psychology is familiar somehow. Could an attorney have written this? I don’t think so. Could Nick and mommy and daddy written this. Sad but true, after all the snot nosed brat has to play up to a Daddy with the money honey! My favorite line was “I will not stand for it”. Oh, I see, you pull off one, if not the most disrespectful interaction I have ever witnessed in my life, and now let’s all feel sorry for Nick the pathetic leader of the gang. Buddy – in my opinion you have made your situation a multitude worse. You are a disgusting little creep and the country is watching to ensure you get what’s coming to you!

  94. n says:

    spin…idiot kids

  95. Tom G says:

    Thank You, thank you, Nick. Thanks for literally standing up to soft oppression.
    America has never been perfect, and is not perfect. Was certainly not with Obama, nor is it with Trump — but most of normal America is better now than it was.

    There are many who suffer from Democrat Derangement Syndrome. They hate, because humans always have an “us” and a “them”. Not all humans, not all the time. But many, often.

    Today in America, the sad people filled with hate are Democrats, just like the sad KKK Democrats who used to hate blacks. Because they were black. Now they hate you. Because you wear a MAGA hat; or are white; or are male; or are a Christian.

    I thank you for standing up for your right to stand on the Lincoln Memorial. You were under assault by the Native American racist hater of whites. No responsible adult came to save you, telling the jerk: “Hey, leave that kid alone!” I believe he touched you a couple of times, but it seemed clear he was coming as close to you as he could get, to force you to move.

    You held your ground.

    Please get legal help and bring lawsuits against every news organization which has defamed you, libeled you, and invaded your privacy. These Deranged Democrats will not stop until more of them have lost lawsuits, and paid millions of dollars in damages.

    I can imagine you “don’t need the money, don’t want the money, have nothing against them”. Pledge to put 60%, or 90% after lawyer fees, into some charity to help give Catholic Boys scholarships, or whatever charity you wish.

    How will this hate filled behavior stop? By lawsuits filed against those who libel, and by damages paid by those who illegally defame innocents.
    Help the innocents.
    Yourself, and those innocents of the future who will be defamed in the future.
    Please file lawsuits.

    Freedom needs you, and more like you. The freedom to wear whatever hat you like, MAGA or Pro-Life or Pro-Jesus.
    Thank you for standing up, literally, for your freedom to be you.

  96. Tom G says:

    Thank you – please file lawsuits against all who slandered you.
    To protect other, future innocents.

  97. Wr says:

    Anyone with half a brain cell can see what happened. You can see the hateful liberals on this comment that are so blinded by hate they cant see the truth. It’s so sad people would pick on kids. Don’t worry karma is a bitch n it will be your kids next n I hope so.

  98. M Padgett says:

    I’ve seen all the videos. All I see in the videos is uncontrollable teenage boys showing lack of respect, for themselves and others. And people saying how brave you are to come forward and how much integrity you have. Don’t believe them. It’s only words on a post. Words on paper. Like your words are to me and the MILLIONS of people that will know your name and your FACE. That’s what gave you away… don’t go into politics if you don’t have a poker face. And yours had entitlement written all over it. This will haunt you forever, and I hope it does.

  99. Sheila M says:

    Whoa!!!!! Just hold on a minute! What the heck is going on? I opened this website several hours ago to read the latest comments, of which there were 177. I just reopened and there are only 110 comments. Well, I can understand that you may be limited to the amount of available space to print hundreds of comments.

    Although something really strange happened and it absolutely must be investigated. Almost all 110 comments were in defense of Sandmann. That is an understatement. The praise love admiration for this despicable person shocked me and had to stop reading. Normally I would probably just let go. But you know what’s really incredulous is that all comments condemning the situation, were removed and only his friends and family expressed how victimized Nick has been. This situation will not go away because you lied about it. There are no denials good enough to overcome the thought in everyone’s mind that it’s good to be rich and well known in the community . Obviously; if not friend or family of your newspaper, you made out beyond a shadow of doubt, legitimately surmise that due to this flagrant, in your face, obvious deceit by your newspaper, that all the other entities involved have been treated the same way. You must have got a call from Mitch to delete all your communities and beyond emails or texts that in any way whatsoever depicted Nick in any way but that he is an angel sent from heaven for all of us to enjoy. We are all highly insulted that whoever penned that believed no one would notice. How pathetic – this will never be swept under the rug. Above and beyond all sickening behavior on video, this has turned into “The wealthy can buy anything” well, not anything, there are still some honest people out there who need to do their job and investigate this matter to everyone’s approval. Appropriate punishment (which could never give mr Phillips back his dignity) must be meted out or the anger people feel could turn into rage. My comments will likely not be printed, which will just be more evidence of how scheming the parties involved are.

    • Judy Clabes says:

      Sheila, we have not deleted any comments. We have published all that have been offered — except those with exceptionally bad language, had only links that were not safe to share, or were exact duplicates of ones we already approved. (Some people submitted the very same thing two or three times, for example.) We’re trying to keep up — but right now I don’t see any that haven’t been approved. There are several stories that people are commenting on — and it appears that the count you see on this story is just for this story. There are 185 comments on another story about this issue.

  100. Mae Paraede says:

    I think you’re a kid….. I think you’re a child and as a teen aged child, you do stupid things.
    I think you’re lying now because you got caught acting like an idiotic child with absolutely zero respect for others who don’t look like you….. and this is what you have been taught by your parents and by your school.

    Maybe you’ll grow out of it – maybe you won’t. But either way – the expression on your face shows you to be a liar. You weren’t confused at all. You were a hateful little boy filled with expectations of superiority because you’re white. You don’t recognize that like your MAGA parents don’t recognize that the way of Christ is not anything to do with MAGA….. and your school wouldn’t know Christ if He walked into it and asked for water.

  101. Elizabeth K says:

    I think you are to be commended for your actions. It is sad that the media especially CNN have gone the route of tabloid news and lies. I am shocked by all the hateful comments. You know you did the right thing. Often teenagers behave better than adults. The full video is proof.

  102. Melissa says:

    In the wake of the confrontation videoed at the Lincoln Memorial, between an Indigenous people and a teenage boy, I am very disappointed at the deep root of arrogance and disrespect from the teen toward the elderly man. The teen boy said, “by smiling, I was showing I would not back down or be intimidated”, is a sad excuse for the behavior of this boy who has most likely never felt or understood the horrific events of a people who were killed, stripped of their homes, land, country, and dignity. A people who still today suffer from alcoholism, poverty, and diseases like diabetes. A people who were sentenced to a long slow death by taking their freedom and their way of life through force and barbaric acts. That such a person like this teen would be given a voice in the press; to lie, manipulate, and twist what we can see with our own eyes as pure ignorance and arrogance, is appalling.

  103. Norm says:

    I am soooo ashamed of Covington Catholic High School for eating their own !!!
    Where is the support for the honorable student that was threatened, assaulted and harassed….
    and the young man stood with restraint, and respect…..
    This student should have been commended for such excellent behavior….I would be sooo proud !!!
    Covington Catholic School should be humiliated for condemning their own righteous children!!!

  104. Pat Quan says:

    Nick – as a born/raised Catholic and mother of a bright young man I appreciate your statement and heartily apologize to you for the hate and ugliness you and your friends have come across from strangers in the last few days. Please don’t let this incident jade you or change your values.
    There are millions of good people across this country that stand with you and your friends. God Bless You and stay strong.

  105. Melissa Martin says:

    THANK GOD the family has the means to employ a PR firm to make excuses for entitled white male privileged students, given full reign to exercise their white male privileged dominance, by their impotent white male privileged chaperones. If Nathan Phillips were a priest who said “let’s pray” instead of practicing his culture’s ritual to clear the negative energy between two volatile groups, he wouldn’t have been met by such ignorance & obvious ridicule. But he was. Because of white male privilege. Also known as Kavanaugh 2.0. Parkland kids give us hope for the future but Covington students make us see things may never change at all.

  106. mc piper says:

    There is plenty of photographic evidence, even before this incident of what you and your classmates stand for and practice. For instance the basketball team throwing “white power” signs, your classmates in blackface taunting minorities and women. Etc. Your actions speak much more loudly, truthfully and consistently that the PR piece written for you.

  107. Karen Brauer says:

    Real video shows that the self discipline of the Covington Catholic kids was much better than most of the adults around them. The media maliciously spreading the lies that now endanger the lives of these students deserve to be sued for libel. The faith leaders and politicians who fell for yet another dose of fake news should immediately retire, as they are too gullible to govern or properly influence others.

  108. Dr Janice says:

    To Tom G – The Deranged Republican
    I’m wondering if shock treatments would help……No, your too far gone. This will be impossible for you to grasp Tom as there is no question you were born on one of them there mountain tops, raised in a dirt hut and ain’t never got no schoolin. People want to pity you but no one can muster up one ounce of compassion or sympathy because quite frankly Tom you are so ignorant and you hate yourself enough for all of us. The hate is well placed and justified. Naturally all “people” like you are the exact same kind of “people “ who turn every single subject into Trump and God, that’s all you know – but truly you know nothing. A privileged white young man who saw many cell phones out recording his actions, puffed his chest and in the most horrific display
    of harassment threatening posture and an insanely idiotic smirk on his vacant head, chose to be a movie star and torment this Dignified beautiful elder Veteran Native American Indian. This is what I saw Tom and the overwhelming of Americans saw. Tom G saw a childlike angel being assaulted by an indigenous person but Nick was able to stand there so proudly and also showing such great restraint and respect wearing his pretty red hat while attending a Catholic right to life protest. Huh Tom. Let’s get as many lawyers as possible as you so articulated from all over the country and maybe you can start a petition to have a bronze statue of Nick in your town square! I am a psychologist and in my 28 years of experience I have never witnessed such delusional hatefilled, unintelligent rhetoric as frightening as yours. You need help, you are crying out for help, unfortunately you will never get help. You will be this sad, sad pathetic person you always have been. God Bless Mr. Nathan Phillips! PS. Tom, you and Nick together do not have as much human integrity as Mr Phillips in both of your baby toe nails put together. SAD

  109. David Bradlee Slatton says:

    To Nick Sandmann and all your classmates who were part of the incident.: First of all, I want to apologize to you young people for the fact that you were treated so unfairly by a bunch of “adults” But keep in mind that your President..may God keep and protect him, puts up with stuff like that all the time
    Anyway, there are literally millions of us who are mighty proud of the way you young people handled yourselves. Keep the good work up…. God bless you. Sincerely, Mr.& Mrs.David Slatton

  110. Happy in California says:

    My daughter has smug face. It’s her idea of trying to stay neutral not realizing how unbalanced people will do and say anything to prove a point including stating she made a specific non moving face with a smile because she was trying to offend. If the kid says he wasn’t trying to offend by his facial expression plus he did nothing else to show aggression? I would believe him.
    My daughter at 21 years of age has no idea why when she is trying to stay her calmest while dealing with unique situation, the older adults she is being confronted by go off the deep end, accusing her of all kinds of crazy things. It had made her cry at home since she was a teenager. We have had a dozen conversations that her smug face has triggered the victims of society as they begin screaming scenario’s that translate into ‘poor me society’s victim is being bullied by smug face… ‘. Really? Maybe you, the older adult, need to get ahold of your emotions. I am working with smug face to runaway from crazy as soon as crazy presents itself but some situation don’t allow for a quick exit. Like this one, he would have been labeled as disrespecting a native American elder voicing his opinion.

  111. peace-maker says:

    Nick, this is the real world. When you go to a rally you have to declare your intentions which at this point was supposed to be “Right to Life”. It is not supposed to be, according to Catholics, a political statement, but rather a religious statement. Trump supporting MAGA hats was another issue that you were not supposed to be authorized to demonstrate at this rally that had opposing views. We had this problem when an unauthorized rally appeared at the same place earlier this year 2018 presenting opposing views in the same place. We are supposed to learn from history. So if you are going to be part of current events please learn the rules – the adults among you might have advised you not to wear the MAGA hats, which encouraged attacking comments. Also you were blocking this Indigenous American from having a peaceful demonstration with his heartfelt drum music. How would you feel if a kid smirk smiled right in front of you? You were in the wrong place. I wish you could have moved out of his space and not present such a hard “in your face” look at him, but once the deed was done, I truly appreciate your explanation of how this all played out. Then the adults who were there, maybe were supposed to help you out to avoid this whole incident from happening but they were caught up in the situation too.It could be a learning experience; Maybe it could be avoided in the future – but things happen. We can’t control everything , especially crowd control which is potentially very dangerous. You, ultimately, are the person who is responsible for your well being, best to get out of there. Now with these threats- that is another matter. Legal and you must get advice.and get advice about media presence. Get a handle on this immediately and talk to people who will do something. Please do not over-react.;Keep your cool. There are as many opinions as there are people! Wow!
    Case in point here, I am writing you publicly, not in a private note. This format affords others to consider what I am saying as well. I wish you and your friends and family all the best. You lived the experience now hopefully more will learn from your difficulties. I believe you will be okay. Maybe you can help others avoid problems like this in the future .Who knows?- Maybe a child who hasn’t been born yet!

  112. Helen Curol says:

    I applaud you, Covington HS students. You depended on God, without fighting or disrespecting anyone while you waited on your bus Although you were attacked verbally for your Christianity, your smile to strangers, your hats that you wore, and your race – you did not fight, curse, appear to be any kind of way but respectful while hoping/praying to God to get you out of that disaster. It happened simply because you were there. I encourage all the negative people who have been so rude & disrespectful to you to read Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand,” I have faced a few such personal situations in my life where such advice worked for me. You may have more as you mature, but you are being taught how to stand and not run fearful because evil is attacking you.

  113. NKY Proud Parent says:

    I love how they left out the part when the boys were cat calling women screaming “MAGA” at them. The tomahawk motions and imitations of Native American chants meant no harm, I guess. And this letter written by the lawyers hired by his parents? Poor me, I did nothing wrong, I’m completely innocent. Sounds like DT in regards to Stormy Daniels. Teaching them young!

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