Mississippi family members charged after cheering at graduation

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Thursday, June 4, 2015
Warrant for cheering at graduation?
Warrant for cheering at graduation?A family cheered for a graduate, and got legal trouble for their enthusiasm

SENATOBIA, MS -- A Mississippi family faces charges, all because they cheered for a loved one as she got her high school diploma, reports television station WREG.

The girl's father, aunt and two relatives are charged with disturbing the peace. Police say the crowd was warned before graduation not to cheer or clap until all students received their diploma.

But when Lanarcia Walker walked across the stage as a graduate of Senatobia High School, her father says he could not hold in his pride and yelled, "You did it, baby!'

At first, they were asked to leave the ceremony, but they say a week or two later, they learned the school superintendent filed disturbing the peace charges and warrants were issued for their arrests.

"I mean, it's crazy," said parent Henry Walker. "The fact that I might have to bond out of jail, pay court costs, or a $500 fine for expressing my love, it's ridiculous man. It's ridiculous."

The school superintendent wouldn't go on camera, but says he's determined to have order at the graduations.

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