Greater Cincinnati Investigations issued a report dated Feb. 11 that found no evidence that students from Covington Catholic made "offensive or racist" statements to either Black Hebrew Israelites or Native American tribe members gathered on the National Mall."The statements we obtained from students and chaperones are remarkably consistent," the investigators said. "And, the statements are consistent with the videos we reviewed."
The Bishop of the Covington Diocese, Roger Foys, welcomed the report as vindication of the students' behavior, despite the diocese's initial condemnation of the events.
Other 'apologies' will, no doubt, follow.
| No doubt. The article contains a link to the investigative report, at the end of which is the point that most of the boys wearing MAGA hats had bought them in Washington, just as in previous years they had bought Obama-supporting HOPE hats. Meanwhile, back in Cincinnati another Covington Catholic boy and his family have been making a difference despite the hate: |
Doxxed Covington Catholic senior helped raise $21K for nonprofit refuge: 'I'm going to be optimistic'
[CincinnatiEnquirer] Strangers identified a Covington Catholic senior's dream and mobilized to dismantle it.
Michael Hodge had applied to Cincinnati State, drawn to the school's culinary arts program. A mob, angered by videos showing Hodge's classmates chanting around a group of Native Americans on the National Mall, found a scapegoat in Hodge.
Hodge was 500 miles away when his classmates joined the March for Life event and afterward encountered Native Americans and a reported hate group. Hodge had remained in the Cincinnati area for his older brother's wedding. But he was mistakenly identified as another CovCath student, Nick Sandmann.
Police officers escorted Hodge to school those first few days back.
What the strangers didn't know: Hodge's passion for the culinary arts had led him last summer to prepare and serve meals to food-insecure individuals at Mary Rose Mission, a Catholic nonprofit in Florence.
And about six years earlier, Hodge's father, John Hodge, had offered engineering and architectural advice and a free inspection through his company, Century Construction Inc., to Mary Rose during the renovation of a 100-year old structure.
The Hodges mulled creating a fundraiser for Mary Rose, to channel the attention away from hate. They feared it would create more unwanted attention, but ultimately decided to go through with it. With donations made by check and through GoFundMe, the family raised more than $20,000. The Hodges made a $250 anonymous donation themselves and later donated $600 more to offset a GoFundMe service fee.
On Friday, the family presented a $21,170 check to Carris and Mary Rose.
Carris said the money will likely help defray costs associated with purchasing a new facility to serve as a temporary refuge for people in need. The refuge would offer warm beds and opportunities, Carris said.
Michael Hodge said Cincinnati State officials assured him that the doxing won't affect his application. He's awaiting a response and applying for scholarships.
He said the atmosphere at Covington Catholic has mostly returned to normal.
"I'm going to be optimistic," he said. "Just with anything, good can come out of it."
Mary Rose offers free meals every day of the year from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at 272 Main St. in Florence. All are welcome.