They were denied diplomas and blocked from crossing the stage for how they celebrated graduation

Devarius Peters wanted to celebrate graduation day wearing a pair of Black leather Alexander McQueen shoes. Ashley Saucedo and Ever Lopez, both graduates of different schools in different states, wanted to carry the Mexican flag to honor their roots.

But for all three students, their plans were thwarted by school officials who denied them their diplomas and blocked the high school graduates from crossing the stage. Each school said the graduates were violating a school policy and refused to make an exception even as their families watched from the audience. In Peters' case, a teacher, John Butler, traded shoes with him so he could walk. The incidents have garnered national attention with some educators, experts and community advocates saying these are just the latest examples of young people of color being punished for how they celebrate graduation. Similar incidents have gone viral in the past, including in 2018 when a group of Black students at the University of Florida were rushed off stage for doing a short celebratory dance at their commencement ceremony. The college later apologized for how the students were treated. Now some critics, including a grassroots group in North Carolina where Lopez lives, are urging schools to reevaluate their policies, saying students should be allowed to show pride in their culture and identity at graduation ceremonies.