Commissioner Calls out WJLA Reporting

February 26, 2015

ANC 5E Commissioner Bradley Thomas opened tonight\’s meeting by reading a letter chastising WJLA’s reporting of “Violence, chaos plaguing Dunbar High School in Northwest D.C.”. The report of violence and a “hall melee” at the historic Dunbar High School was aired on WJLA earlier this week. The report was allegedly based on reports from a disgruntled parent and used video from Dunbar High School in Chicago. Commissioner Bradley wrote that the reports of “violent, out of control behavior, and gun violence at and around events” are in stark contrast to the compliments he’s received from SMD 5E05 residents. The audience applauded the Commissioner at the end of his reading.

Ms. Thornhill (Dunbar High School Alumni Committee) was the first to stand up and praise the Commissioner for rebutting the false WJLA reporting. Chairperson Teri Janine Quinn invited Stephen Jackson, the principal of Dunbar High School, to speak to the audience. He provided a more detailed account of the incident that had led the parent to make such accusations. He quickly highlighted the historic nature of Dunbar as well extended an invitation to the audience to come by and take a tour of the school, observe the classes and tour the museum.

Mr. Jackson closed his remarks by announcing that Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, was scheduled to speak tomorrow at the school in celebration of Black History month. There was more than one reply from the audience as to whether WJLA would be there to cover it.

Note: The video has since been removed from the WJLA website