"it was a rope in the form of a noose, period," said parent Courtney Jones.
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That's what Jones saw in a picture taken Wednesday morning. A rope, hanging on a fence at Chabot Elementary School, where her two children attend.
"For me, it was triggering and hurtful-- I felt nervous and scared," Jones added.
The school removed the rope before students arrived. Officials don't know what the motivation was but it made people uncomfortable.
"Whoever did it, it's a shame. It's a shame," said one parent.
Chabot's Principal emailed parents about the incident, which said in part:
"The way it was placed could have been a coincidence but it also could have been indicative of something more disturbing-- it was easy to see the rope as a message that harkens back to some of our nation's darkest history."
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The Oakland Unified School District contacted police, who are now investigating.
"Whether this was intentional or an accident. we will be here to show a united front to the world," said OUSD Spokesperson John Sasaki,
Jones now plans to have a talk with her kids, one she never imagined having.
"I was thinking wow, in 2019 I have to have a conversation with my children about a noose. That is hurtful," said Jones.
The school plans to discuss the incident with parents and staff at a meeting next week.