SENATOBIA, Miss. -- Several people who cheered for family members at a recent high school graduation ceremony are now facing charges for "disturbing the peace." Police at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where Senatobia High School's graduation ceremony was held, said the superintendent asked the crowd not to scream and to hold their applause until the end. Linda Walker, Ursula Miller and two other people were asked to leave the ceremony because they were screaming and cheering.
“When she went across the stage I just called her name out. ‘Lakaydra’. Just like that,” Ursula Miller told WREG.
Miller said she was then asked to leave the graduation. A few weeks later, she was served papers.
Senatobia Municipal School District Superintendent Jay Foster filed "disturbing the peace" charges against the four people who were asked to leave graduation. Officers issued warrants for their arrests with a possible $500 bond.
“It’s crazy,” Henry Walker said. “The fact that I might have to bond out of jail, pay court costs, or a $500 fine for expressing my love, it’s ridiculous man. It’s ridiculous.”
Superintendent Foster declined an on-camera interview but told WREG he’s determined to have order at graduation ceremonies.
“I can understand they can escort me out of the graduation, but to say they are going to put me in jail for it," Miller said. "What else are they allowed to do?”
The four people facing charges are expected in court Monday, June 9.
