Classes At Marist High School Canceled Over Planned Black Lives Matter Protest

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Students at a South Side Catholic High School will not be in class after the school day was canceled over a planned protest by Black Lives Matter activists.

Marist High School became involved after a small group of students posted racially charged text messages.

One of those included the N-word.

In response, the Black Lives Matter protest was planned for today, but was later canceled.

By then administrators had already told students to stay home for the day.

Officials were concerned that today's protest would result in demonstations earlier this week where local residents and BLM protesters verbally and sometimes physically clashed.

Those earlier protests followed the fatal shooting of Joshua Beale by an off-duty police officer last weekend.

Police say the 25-year-old pointed a weapon before he was shot multiple times.

The Marist High School principal made the decision to close the school after he learned that part of 115th Street would likely have to be closed due to the protest.

Black Lives Matter leaders said they postponed the protest over safety concerns.

Instead, they plan to meet with police and school officials and the local alderman this afternoon.

The Marist students involved have been severely disciplined by the school.