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Four girls at a middle school in Binghamton, N.Y., were taken aside two weeks ago after a school official thought they were acting strangely.

What happened next is in dispute, and has led the governor to call for an investigation.

The parents of each of the girls have said that their daughters, all African-American and 12 years old, were taken to their school’s health office, where they were questioned and strip-searched for drugs.

School officials have refuted those claims, saying that a strip search never took place and that administrators at East Middle School only conducted a routine medical assessment out of concern for the girls’ health and safety.

Reports about the incident spread quickly on social media, leading local community organizations to protest and rally in support of the students, which drew national attention.