A teacher in Florida was removed from school and is under investigation after he was caught on a viral video yelling at a student who did not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
A TikTok video of the incident shows the teacher standing over the Latino student yelling racist rhetoric. He has been identified as Robert Reiber an arts teacher at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida, according to Newsweek.
“My friend didn’t stand for the pledge and this what the teacher said,” the caption on the video reads.
“You are gonna sit there on your butt?” Reiber asked the student.
“Don’t shake your leg,” Reiber continued when the student didn’t respond. “If you want to do something, get up and do it. I will defend my country til the very end.”
“I won’t hurt you,” the student said.
Rieber snapped back, “Then go back to your….where are you from? Mexico or Guatemala, where?”
“I was born here,” the student replied.
“You were born here? And you won’t stand up for the flag?” Reiber responds, throwing his hands in the air.
The Communications Director for the Manatee County Schools District said Reiber was removed from the school and the district’s Office of Professional Standards is investigating the incident. He has not been fired.
“The School District of Manatee County strongly condemns any language or behavior that degrades, humiliates or insults any individuals — most especially the young people, families and community we have the privilege of serving,” the district said in a statement.
