When South Philadelphia High School erupted into racial violence on December 3, community liaison Violet Sutton-Lawson was one of the few school staff members who did something about it—apparently risking serious injury—to protect Asian students who were being beaten by mobs, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She worked with pregnant students and teenage mothers, was bumped from her job by seniority rules and was among 61 support staffers who were laid off to save money and consolidate duties. Critics of the job cuts say the lay-offs have largely targeted employees who focus on student safety—11 community-relations workers, 17 non-teaching assistants and 33 climate managers. Sutton-Lawson will not be paid after June 30.
