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An appearance by the famous comedian ends in violence at a local high school.
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Chaos erupted minutes before comedian Bill Cosby was to take the stage at John McDonogh High School as part of the NAACP's Youth Listening tour last Friday, according to sources within the troubled local school. The star of Fat Albert & The Cosby Show was scheduled to deliver an inspirational speech to the violence-plagued student body, a speech emphasizing self-respect, hard work, and personal responsibility.
The Esplanade Avenue public high has been in the news for a wave of assaults as students have attacked security guards and teachers in recent weeks, resulting in the arrest of three students and the hospitalization of a teacher. Unfortunately, that speech was never delivered, according to witnesses. Instead, the scene in McDonogh's auditorium collapsed into an all too familiar brawl, apparently caused by an altercation between a security guard and a member of Cosby's entourage.
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"We were waiting for Doctor Huxtable...and the next thing, it's going down," said Warner.
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"It was crazy, for real," said McDonogh junior Lionel Warner. "We were all sitting there, waiting for Doctor Huxtable to get on the mic, and the next thing, it's going down."
Apparently mistaking a request by security guard Noel Reynard for an autograph as an attempt to search the comedian, an unidentified member of Cosby's group shoved Reynard and "reached threateningly" to his waistband. "He said 'No one searches Dr. Cosby'," said Reynard, recalling the incident. "I thought I was going to die."
The row increased as security sought to restrain the unidentified man and the fight spilled onto the stage. Cosby's group attacked the guards, and, according to Reynard, the comedian joined in. "I never would've thought; I mean, it's Bill Cosby. But he swung on me just the same."
Meanwhile, in the seats, Lionel Warner sat with his friends, astonished. "We heard shouting and then the guards and Dr. Huxtable's boys were all over the stage. I was like, 'oh no, for real! Dr. Huxtable is going to beat that boy's ass.'"
Though the conflict only lasted a few minutes, it left an impression on Warner. "Principal Jackson got in between the guards and Dr. Huxtable's people and calmed everything down pretty quick. Next thing I know, they're out the back and I'm like 'Damn! Dr. Huxtable is Big-Tymin!'"
According to school officials, Cosby's group piled the comedian into a waiting limo and they were gone.
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For Noel Reynard, this assault was the last straw.
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For Noel Reynard, it was the last straw. "How many times am I expected to get my ass kicked working here? I've got kids." He said he was contemplating a move to Houston. "I hear there's plenty of work there." As for his feelings toward Cosby, Reynard said he'd lost respect for the comedian. "Hey Hey Hey Motherfucker. But what are you going to do? My wife still loves the Cosby Mysteries, and have you ever heard his 'chocolate cake' bit? It's fucking great."
