LOS ANGELES, CA – Allegations of racial harassment during a pro-Trump rally at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) were brought to light during a Board of Trustees meeting for the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) on Nov. 12.
The rally, held on Nov. 5, featured dozens of students cheering and wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats, waving Trump banners, and carrying flags. Videos of the event, including footage of a school security guard holding up a Trump flag, were widely circulated on social media.
While initial reports focused on the boisterous nature of the event, new details emerged during the board meeting about alleged incidents of racial intimidation. BHHS teacher Bella Ivory and several students recounted how some rally participants moved through school hallways screaming racial slurs, profanities, and hateful messages outside Ivory’s classroom.
Ivory, who teaches fashion and serves as the faculty sponsor of the Black Student Union, described the experience: “We just heard loud voices outside of my door screaming ‘f*** Kamala.’ The ‘n’ word was being said. It was pretty bad, it was pretty bad.”
One student shared how they were inside Ivory’s classroom when rallying students banged on the door and shouted profanities and slurs. “I’ve never felt this scared at school and in fear of my life,” the student said, adding that others in the classroom begged Ivory not to open the door.
Ivory expressed frustration with how the situation unfolded, questioning why the rally had been allowed to escalate. She later faced backlash on social media after attempting to publicly clarify what occurred.
During the board meeting, several students described a broader pattern of racism at BHHS. One student cited racial epithets scrawled on bathroom walls, while another lamented a lack of action from administrators despite repeated reports of racist incidents over the years.
Principal Drew Stewart acknowledged the students’ concerns, saying, “Tonight we heard from students who have concerns, and I’m very grateful to them for coming and speaking this evening. We want all of our students to feel comfortable enough to let us know when something isn’t right in their experience at our school.”
Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy echoed this sentiment, stating, “We sincerely appreciate all of the speakers who contributed this evening. Alongside my colleagues, I take all concerns regarding hate speech and safety extremely seriously and we are actively addressing these through regular meetings with our students. As we heard during public comment, our community includes individuals with varying perspectives, and we are listening to all voices as we continue to navigate this important dialogue.”
The district has pledged to address the allegations and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students while grappling with the deep divisions highlighted during the rally. The investigation into the reported incidents is ongoing.
