The recent viral video that showed a teacher beating up a student has swept social media. Marston Riley, 64, has been a music and band director at Maywood Academy High School in Maywood, California, for many years. Last week, he was the target of an unprovoked verbal and physical assault by a student at the school. After calling for assistance and ordering the student to leave, Riley reached his breaking point and fought back against the bullying student.
It has since been reported by news outlet KTLA that the student who attacked Riley and others in the classroom planned the incident. That is why many students are seen in the video with their cameras out ready to take in the action. While there is no word on what will happen to the student, the encounter led to the arrest of Riley and the possible conclusion of his career as a teacher. But many parents, students and other supporters are coming to Riley’s assistance in a big way.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched earlier this week named For Mr. Riley /Teachers Deserve Respect, and has so far raised $137,886 in three days, exceeding its $50K goal. Riley is facing charges of suspicion of child abuse and causing great bodily injury on a child and is facing mounting legal fees. This was not the first time that Riley has been attacked by students. Last year, when he caught three teens skipping class, the students turned on him and beat him viciously.
Mr. Riley’s next scheduled court date is November 30, 2018, where he will be arraigned on the charges.
