Kory Grant Clift - Photo KXTV-10 News
Posted on 09/27/2001 3:58:01 AM PDT by comwatch
Kory Grant Clift - Photo KXTV-10 News
The Wannabe Cop Killer Now 6th Grade Flag Burning Teacher!
His history suggests he hates authority, cops and now our flag!
The other day I asked a hypothetical question in a variety of internet forums: "Are your kids safe when you send them off to school?" I suggested in the case of one grammar school class in the Del Paso Heights Elementary School District here in Sacramento California, the answer may be a resounding NO!
In an exclusive report released from the Law Enforcement Information Bureau (LEIB) today, we've learned more about the sixth grade school teacher that burned an American flag in front of his thirty some odd impressionable students and told his students " to keep quiet about it." They did. "The incident occurred Sept. 18, a week [to the day] after the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon" reports the local paper. Perhaps the fact that the teacher, in his second year with the district, was also placed on administrative leave last spring for putting a student into a closet as a disciplinary measure, is why it wasn't reported until a few days ago.
While the School District refused to name the teacher, held closed door meeting and has put off angry parents until October 9th, LEIB has not only learned he is one Kory Grant Clift but he has an interesting violent anti-police criminal past. That past may be why North Avenue Elementary School and the District are keeping silent, limiting discussion to statements like "District Superintendent Carl Mack Jr. said people have the right to free speech, but the teacher showed poor judgment and inappropriate behavior regardless of what the motive was." The local newspaper (Sacramento Bee) was quick to follow that statement with "Past U.S. Supreme Court rulings have said flag burning and other acts of desecration were protected under First Amendment free speech rights."
Kory Clift, a Sacramento State student at the time, was booked for attempted murder of a Sacramento Police officer in 1998 . The officer, 47 year old Ronald Chesterman, who joined the department in December 1994 was assigned to patrol in the City's East Area. According to two police sources, Clift had stopped in the middle of a heavily traveled four lane thoroughfare to carry on a conversation with a second female motorist, also a Sac State student. This caused a traffic hazard and tempers flared amongst the blocked in motorists .
Officer Chesterman, in uniform and in his marked patrol unit observed the growing traffic congestion and made contact with Clift instructing him to move on. While not confirmed as to specifics, Clift allegedly ignored the verbal commands until the officer turned on his overhead emergency lights. At this point, Clift pulled his car over to the curb abruptly, exited the vehicle and began a stream of racial slurs, expletives and threats directed at the officer. The female who had also exited her vehicle remained in the roadway and began screaming profanities at officers. She was told repeatedly to get out of traffic and back into her car. It appears at this point, as officers escorting her off the roadway with the intention to detain her, that Clift yelled at officers again, headed toward his car despite Chesterman's verbal commands to remain where he was. As Clift started the car and gunned the engine, Chesterman tried to remove the keys from the ignition through the passenger side window. Clift sped off, dragging the officer for half a city block or about the length of a football field.
Clift was booked on felony attempted murder of a police officer, felony assault on a police officer with his vehicle and Felony Resisting Arrest by force or violence. [Case #98F09663 11-3-1998] The female was charged with resiting arrest. Clift is believed to have prior resisting arrest history in Oakland, California prior to coming to Sacramento to attend Sacramento State. In breaking developments early this morning, we learned that he may have had a similar incident with a retired San Francisco police officer now working a Sac State. He seems to have as much respect for police officers as he does for our flag.
The Court Case: Here the story takes a convoluted twist with some serious questions. Clift happens to be black, the officer white. Does the final outcome, a "no contest" [guilty] plea to one sole misdemeanor resisting arrest charge square with the serious charges brought by police and the District Attorney and Clift's prior criminal conduct? While unconfirmed at this early hour, we are looking into reports of a relation between the judge in this case and rumors he may be related to Clift's Sac State mentor.
The true reality of this story, and a tribute to America's unity today, is that most of the parents that want him fired are black and they are outraged by the flag burning and the statement "I can't burn it all 'cause that's illegal" and "Babylon is burning," How will these same parents react when this story reached the media in the morning. Will the Del Paso Heights Elementary School District refuse to comment on this "Public Record" saying it is inappropriate since his "background" is a confidential personnel matter.
With the above as a background and ABC affiliate KXTV-10's report that Clift replaced the American Flag with an African flag, the teacher issued a brief press statement today. It denies he is a Muslim and says the story was blown out of proportion. In his written statement to the media he includes phrases like , "The intention of my classroom lesson concerning our American flag has been taken out of context", "we should not rush to judgment..." and the most startling "I do apologize for the misperceptions of inappropriate behavior taken out of context..." Is this somehow his student's fault? Angry parents? Shocked taxpayer's footing the bill for his paid administrative leave? The School District will not go public with it's decison until "Trustees" rubber stamp it.
Will Mr. Clift plead no contest to arson if the District Attorney is asked to file the case? Perhaps he can tell the next judge he appears before, "Do not rush to judgment your honor! I do apologize for the misperceptions of inappropriate behavior taken out of context. Babylon did it!
He offered, then withdrew, a telephone interview with veteran reporter Mark Hedland. Maybe he feared the question many American's who've heard this story are asking... do we want you teaching anywhere?
But at least he didn't pray in front of the kids.
There's no double standard at work here, now is there?
Clift sped off, dragging the officer for half a city block or about the length of a football field.
Sounds to me like an obvious hate crime.
ok I will be the first to admit that I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree , but why isn't this dork in prison?
I guess that attempted murder is no big deal in Calf.
From sacobserver.com
Kory Clift:
Recent Sacramento State graduate Kory Clift is committed to making sure African American culture is preserved and respected.
Clift, 24, teaches sixth grade students at North Avenue Elementary School within the Del Paso Heights School District.
"Children are being miseducated. They're not being taught how their culture played an important part in forming America," he asserted.
"The best thing on the Earth is Black beauty. From light yellow to blue Black ... our noses, our lips, the way we walk, the way we carry our bodies is beautiful. Our beauty is powerful," Clift proudly stated.
Some don't view Clift's choice of hair styles as powerful-in fact they see it as anything but.
"It comes with the territory," he said of his long locks. In the classroom, Clift uses his dreadlocks as an educational tool.
"It's like the story of Sampson. I tell them I am powerful and my hair is beautiful," he stated.
To Clift, women with natural hair and athletic builds are attractive.
"I define sexy as nicely shaped hips and thighs ... a soft voice," he shared.
Oh wait, that's a dumb question . Though sad anyone can get into teaching now more to worry about. . .even our enemies suicide tools.. can become teachers .
Cheese.
Not when its a "model citizen" of a protected class trying to "off the pig".
Tell 'em that on cell block 11, Clift.
Let's not mess things up, shall we? Nothing to see here. Move along...
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