A violent assault happened inside a classroom at Snellville Middle School, and now both the attacker and the victim are suspended.

On December 3, 2025, 8th grader Paradise Muhammad was attacked by a male classmate. Video footage shows her being grabbed, slammed into desks, and kicked in the head while classmates recorded and reacted in the background. No one stepped in to help. Paradise says her teacher was not in the classroom at the time, and no adult intervened during the attack.

Despite all of this, the Gwinnett County School District issued the same suspension to both Paradise and the boy who attacked her.

This is not justice. This is re-traumatizing a student who was already violently harmed on school grounds.

We are calling on the Gwinnett County Board of Education, Snellville Middle School Principal Meshaun Vaughn, and Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor to immediately:

• Drop Paradise Muhammad’s suspension
• Publicly acknowledge her as the victim in this incident
• Review disciplinary policies to ensure that victims of violence are not punished for being attacked

Holding the victim of a brutal assault equally responsible sends a chilling message to students, especially girls. It tells them that speaking up about violence, or simply being the target of it, may result in punishment.

In situations like this, schools have an opportunity to act with compassion, transparency, and care for student safety. Suspending Paradise undermines all three.

Paradise did nothing wrong. She asked for her phone back. She was thrown into desks and kicked while classmates stood by. She deserves protection and support, not suspension.

The district has claimed the video only shows part of the story. But no part of any story justifies punishing a student for being physically attacked.

Please sign this petition to demand the immediate reversal of Paradise Muhammad’s suspension. Victims should not be punished for their own trauma, especially in our schools.

Photo Credit: Homes