Georgia, Rockdale NAACP chapters call for action after racial signs used in unapproved school lesson

Editor’s note: The video is from previous coverage.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Rockdale County and Georgia NAACP chapters are calling for the Rockdale County school district to “move swiftly and decisively” in the wake of an unapproved history lesson that used segregation signs at an elementary school.

“The Georgia NAACP and The Rockdale County NAACP are appalled and heartbroken by the deeply disturbing incident at a Rockdale County school, where a water fountain was defaced with a sign reading ‘White Only.’ This isn’t just an act of ignorance — it’s a chilling echo of our nation’s darkest chapters. It is a stark reminder that the legacy of segregation is not history for many — it is still a lived reality," the two chapters said in a statement.

The chapters said the signs, which were put up at Honey Creek Elementary School, were an “act of racial hostility that reopens wounds still felt by generations of Americans who have fought, and continue to fight, for equality and dignity.”

“This moment demands more than outrage — it demands action," the statement said. “Accountability is non-negotiable. But accountability alone is not enough. This moment must spark comprehensive, systemic change.”

The NAACP chapters said change involves mandatory anti-racism education and safe spaces for dialogue, among others.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Segregation signs used in history lesson prompts investigation at Rockdale County elementary school

In a letter to parents and guardians, Principal Adriene Lanier said the incident, which is under investigation, involved a “social studies activity based on a historical figure in American history that was not approved.”

Lanier said the lesson was on Ruby Bridges, who was the first Black child to de-segregate a Louisiana school in the 1960s.

“The district provides teachers with curriculum documents that include recommended and vetted resources and activities,” the letter states. “In this instance, the teacher did not adhere to the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district.”

Rockdale County Public Schools said that while the incident is under investigation, it has taken the “appropriate action to address the reported information.”