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WEBVTT >> THIS VIDEO HAS SPARKED OUTRAGE TOWARD COVINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. IT WAS TAKEN FRIDAY ON THE STEPS OF THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL BY KAYA TAITANO. A CHAMORU FROM GUAM. SHE WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INDIGNEOUS PEOPLES MARCH. >> WE ENDED UP BEING SURROUNDED BY THIS GROUP OF KIDS AND REALLY DIDN’T KNOW WHERE IT WAS GOING BUT I KNEW IT NEEDED TO BE RECORDED. THEY WERE MOCKING THE CHANT. >> IN THE VIDEO YOU SEE A YOUNG MAN FACE TO FACE WITH NATHAN PHILLIPS. AN OMAHA ELDER AND VIETNAM VETERAN. DOZENS OF OTHER STUDENTS FROM THE ALL-MALE PRIVATE SCHOOL ARE SEEN WEARING MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN HATS AND SHOUTING. TAITANO SAYS PHILLIPS STEPPED IN WHEN HE NOTICED THE STUDENTS CLASHING WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN PROTESTORS NEARBY. >> HE WAS TRYING TO BREAK UP THE CONFLICT. >> THE STUDENTS WERE IN TOWN FOR THE MARCH FOR THE LIFE. BUT THEIR TRIP IS NOW BEING REMEMBERED FOR A MUCH DIFFERENT REASON. >> I WAS AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF DISRESPECT SHOWN TO THIS ELDER. >> WE RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM A COVINGTON CATHOLIC EMAIL ACCOUNT. THE PERSON WHO WANTS TO STAY ANONYMOUS CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN THERE AND SAYS THE VIDEO DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY. THE INDIVIDUAL SAYS THE GROUP WAS CHANTING CHEERS WHEN THEY WERE APPROACHED BY PHILLIPS. THEY SAY PHILLIPS FORCED HIS WAY INTO THE CENTER OF THEIR GROUP. WHILE MANY CRY OUT FOR THE STUDENTS TO BE PUNISHED, TAITANO HOPES FOR SOMETHING ELSE. >> I THINK THEY SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND THEY ARE POSSIBLY THE FUTURE LEADERS OF AMERICA. >> THE DIOCESE OF COVINGTON ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING QUOTE, WE CONDEMN THE ACTIONS OF THE COVINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS NATHAN PHILLIPS SPECIFICALLY, AND NATIVE AMERICANS IN GENERAL, JANUARY 18, AFTER THE MARCH FOR LIFE, IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST APOLOGIES TO MR. PHILLIPS. THIS BEHAVIOR IS OPPOSED TO THE CHURCH’S TEACHINGS ON THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT OF THE HUMAN PERSON. THE MATTER IS BEING INVESTIGATED AND WE WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION, UP TO AND INCLUD

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A Catholic high school in Northern Kentucky is facing severe backlash after videos went viral showing students allegedly mocking Native Americans at a rally in Washington.The Indigenous Peoples March in Washington on Friday coincided with the March for Life, which drew thousands of anti-abortion protesters, including a group from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills.Videos circulating online show a youth staring at and standing extremely close to an elderly Native American who was singing and playing a drum. That man has been identified as Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder and Vietnam veteran who holds an annual ceremony honoring Native American veterans at Arlington National Cemetery.Other youths in the video surrounded them, laughing and shouting. The school's logo can clearly be seen on some of their clothing. Many of them were also wearing "Make America Great Again" hats.Kaya Taitano recorded the video."We ended up being surrounded by this group of kids and really didn't know where it was going, but I knew it needed to be recorded. They were mocking the chant," she said. Taitano said Phillips stepped in when he noticed the students clashing with African American protestors nearby."He was trying to break up the conflict...I was amazed at the amount of disrespect shown to this elder," she said.We received a message from a Covington Catholic email account.The person, who wants to stay anonymous, claims to have been there and says the video doesn't tell the whole story.The individual says the group was chanting cheers when they were approached by Phillips.They say Phillips forced his way into the center of their group.While many cry out for the students to be punished, Taitano hopes for something else."I think they should apologize to all indigenous people and realize they are possibly the future leaders of America."The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington, along with the school, acknowledged the situation Saturday afternoon, saying the matter is being investigated.Laura Keener, of the diocese, released the following statement:"We condemn the actions of the Covington Catholic High School students towards Nathan Phillips specifically, and Native Americans in general, Jan. 18, after the March for Life, in Washington, D.C. We extend our deepest apologies to Mr. Phillips. This behavior is opposed to the Church’s teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person."The matter is being investigated and we will take appropriate action, up to and including expulsion.We know this incident also has tainted the entire witness of the March for Life and express our most sincere apologies to all those who attended the March and all those who support the pro-life movement." Since the incident spread, the school has made its social media accounts private.Although the high school isn't actually located in the city of Covington, the city's mayor wrote an op-ed saying, in part, that the videos do not represent the core beliefs and values of the city. You can read his full piece on the city's website.State Rep. Ruth Buffalo, a North Dakota state lawmaker and member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, said she was saddened to see students showing disrespect to an elder who is also a U.S. military veteran at what was supposed to be a celebration of all cultures."The behavior shown in that video is just a snapshot of what indigenous people have faced and are continuing to face," Buffalo said.She said she hoped it would lead to some kind of meeting with the students to provide education on issues facing Native Americans.U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, sharply criticized what she called a display of "blatant hate, disrespect, and intolerance.""This Veteran put his life on the line for our country," she tweeted Saturday. "Heartbreaking." International Indigenous Youth Council posted a video of Smith Saturday evening responding to the actions of the students.Watch it below: