Sixteen black female West Point cadets are currently being investigated after the surfacing of a photo depicting them raising their fists in a “Black Power” salute.
According to the New York Daily News, the image has caused offence to many as it made its rounds on the internet, with many critics linking the collective gesture as a nod of support to the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
While civilian audiences may not see an issue with the matter, the photo is in severe violation of West Point’s policies, which strictly prohibits participating in political acts, or movements while in uniform.
“We can confirm that the cadets in this photo are members of the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2016,” Lt. Christopher Kasker, a spokesman for West Point, told the Daily News in a statement. “Academy officials are conducting an inquiry into the matter.”
The sixteen cadets have yet to be identified.