Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

[Update 2:52 -- Minneapolis Public Schools 

A teacher at Washburn High in Minneapolis was threated with being fired because she stopped to monitor the arrest of an African American man by Minneapolis police and then was arrested for obstructing justice,  

Accounts differ on what led to Crystal Spring's arrest in May at Franklin and Clinton Avenues.  Police say she continually confronted them. She says she parked and moved her car twice  at their request and when they asked her what she was doing at the scene, she said he was watching. She ended up in the back of a squad car.

Minneapolis Public Schools last week sent her a letter saying she was marked for termination for conduct unbecoming a teacher.

After word spread online about Spring's likely firing, the plan to terminate her was reduced to a plan to place her on administrative leave.

"We can only provide public information about staff. Due to data privacy laws, we cannot speak about private employee data. Crystal Spring is currently employed by MPS and is on administrative leave," Minneapolis Board of Education spokesman Dirk Tedmon said in a statement this afternoon.

Spring's supporters plan to ask for an apology from the school board when it meets tomorrow evening.

Youth activism: Washburn High School theater teaches advocacy

 Minneapolis affirms your right to take a picture of police

NewsCut

Bob Collins

Author

A teacher at Washburn High in Minneapolis was threated with being fired because she stopped to monitor the arrest of an African American man by Minneapolis police and then was arrested for obstructing justice.

Mpls school dept. threatens to fire teacher who monitored arrest of an African American man

Go Deeper.

Like this?