West Point officials probe into possible white supremacist hand signals used by cadets

West Point officials are investigating possible "white power signs" used by cadets during Saturday's Army-Navy football game.

News 12 Staff

Dec 15, 2019, 4:23 PM

Updated 1,585 days ago

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West Point officials probe into possible white supremacist hand signals used by cadets
West Point and Naval Academy students are under fire for making hand gestures tied to white supremacy during Saturday's Army-Navy football game.
A pregame video went viral on Twitter during a sideline report of the Army-Navy game.
West Point officials say they are looking into whether the hand symbols made by students behind ESPN sportscaster Rece Davis were intended to be symbols of white supremacy.
The Anti-Defamation League maintains a record of hate symbols. In September, it added this "OK hand gesture" to its database, warning of its many interpretations.
The "hand gesture controversy" isn't the first strike the academy has had. Earlier this month, West Point was under fire for a motto on a spirit flag used by the school's football team.
The letters G-F-B-D which stands for "God Forgives -- Brothers Don't" were on a skull and crossbones flag, The slogan has been said to be tied to white supremacists and gangs.
West Point says it has been used by the team since the mid-90s but the school says they have removed it in September after an internal investigation.
As for Saturday night's televised hand gestures, a spokesperson for West Point said in an email that they are looking into the matter and do not know the intent of the cadets.
On Sunday evening, West Point’s superintendent addressed the controversy and said in part, "The United States Military Academy is fully committed to developing leaders of character who embody the Army values. I have appointed an investigating officer according to Army Regulation 15-6, to conduct an administrative investigation into the facts, circumstances, and intent of the cadets in question.”
 
 
 
 
 


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