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Wisconsin Gov.-elect Tony Evers decries Nazi salute

Posted at 3:37 PM, Nov 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-12 18:27:58-05

BARABOO, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers says high school boys giving what appears to be a Nazi salute in a photo has "no place in Wisconsin."

Evers is the state schools superintendent and defeated Republican Gov. Scott Walker last week.

The Baraboo school district was investigating the photo Monday after it began making the rounds on social media. The photo of more than 60 male students dressed in suits shows many with their right arm extended upward. The picture received widespread condemnation.

Evers says, "As elected officials, we have a responsibility to lead by example for a generation growing up in a climate where they see this behavior condoned." He says he will be in contact with Baraboo school officials and "intolerance and bigotry must never be tolerated, in our schools or anywhere else."

Walker spokeswoman Amy Hasenberg did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

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10:20 a.m.

A Wisconsin school district is investigating a photo of a group of high school boys giving what appears to be a Nazi salute.

Baraboo Superintendent Lori Mueller says she became aware of the photo Monday after it was posted on social media. Mueller says the photo appears to have been taken last spring and wasn't on school grounds.

Mueller says the photo doesn't reflect the district's values and that administrators will pursue appropriate action. Baraboo police are also investigating.

The photo of more than 60 male students dressed in suits shows many with their right arm extended upward. The Auschwitz Memorial tweeted that the photo is why it works hard "to explain what is the danger of hateful ideology rising."

Baraboo is a town of about 12,000 about 115 miles (185 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee.