A SCHOOL teacher who was filmed allegedly attacking a pupil who repeatedly called him "my n****r" has found support online.
64-year-old music teacher Marston Riley was arrested on suspicion of child abuse after footage of the violent encounter went viral.
In the clip, the schoolchild involved can be seen repeatedly ignoring Riley's requests to return to his seat and continuing to berate his teacher.
The incident took place at Maywood Academy High School in California.
In the video, the boy involved appears to be angry with Riley for contacting his parents over a previous issue.
He spends much of the clip trying to goad his teacher into a confrontation while his classmates laugh and film the encounter on their smartphones.
The boy can be heard repeatedly using the phrase "my n****r" in reference to Riley.
At one point he throws a basketball at the teacher, saying: "Why you say you're gonna beat my a**? Wassup? Sheesh!'"
The taunts continue with the boy stating: "Yeah walk the f*** back…why you shaking bro?"
But violence soon erupts with Riley eventually succumbing to the boy's taunts.
The fight was only broken up when a student resource officer arrived on the scene and restrained Riley.
Despite the serious nature of the attack, Riley has received plenty of support online.
This includes a GoFundMe page, set up by local resident and former colleague Cecilia Diaz Jimenez to help pay any fines, legal fees or lawyer bills.
"Mr. Riley is a music teacher at Maywood Academy High School. He has earned the respect of many teachers, staff and students," Jimenez writes.
"Unfortunately, over the past few years unpleasant events have happened to him. Despite all that has happened, he has continued to do what he loves the most, to teach music."
Jimenez was also keen to provide the bigger picture on what Riley has been facing in the classroom of late.
"We all may have mixed feelings about what happened," she said.
"But please do know that this is not the first time that Mr. Riley is attacked; physically or verbally. He is a great person and a great teacher."
The funding page has proven divisive though with many taking to the comments section to either praise or condemn Jimenez's actions.
"The young Man should be arrested as well... Shameful!" one writes.
"Having someone call you racial names and contemplating hitting them. It's hard. I support him fully," another added.
There was some criticism though.
"I do not condone what that student did at all. And I understand teachers deal with so much disrespect and defiance every day. However, I do not feel putting hands on this minor was ok."
Over $23,000 has already been raised for Riley, with an initial target of $50,000 set.
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