Mississippi Gov calls high school band's football half-time show unfit for a civilized society

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (R) called a high school band's football halftime show "unacceptable in a civilized society.”

What was the show?

Band members from Forest Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi, performed a half-time show Friday that depicted students wearing doctor and nurse uniforms and pointing toy guns at students dressed as SWAT team characters, WLBT-TV reported.

Brant, a Republican, wrote on Twitter that someone should be "held accountable" for the display.

According to a report by the TV station, some residents also expressed outrage over the performance. It was also condemned by school and public safety officials.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued a statement on Saturday.

“The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is extremely disturbed by Forest Hill’s leadership approving and allowing their band to display a reenactment of violence against law enforcement at a high school football game in Brookhaven, MS. This is highly inappropriate considering the recent loss of two Brookhaven Police officers to senseless violence," commissioner Marshall Fisher said.

Fisher added that there was no excuse for it:

This only exacerbates the war against law enforcement in our nation. Mimicking acts of violence against law enforcement, or members of the public should never be condoned at a high school football game or any function whatsoever. The Governor’s School Safety Task Force is currently working to reduce school violence which is at an all-time high. I have to question whoever made this decision in regards to what message they are sending to our children.

What did the school district say?

Jackson Public Schools superintendent Errick Greene apologized for the show in a statement:

On behalf of the Jackson Public School (JPS) District, I want to offer my deep and sincere apologies for the performance by the Forest Hill High School band during Friday’s football half-time show in Brookhaven. Based loosely on the movie, “John Q,” the band’s performance depicted a hostage scene that included toy guns.

JPS has a great deal of respect and appreciation for our law enforcement partners. The band’s performance does not depict the values and people in our community, and was incredibly insensitive to the students, families, law enforcement officials and the entire Brookhaven community. For this we sincerely apologize to all, and we pledge to do better in the future.

The Forest Hill High School band gave the performance during the football game against Brookhaven High School.