Six seniors from Desert Vista High School in Phoenix Arizona were suspended after they were seen in a photograph spelling out the N-word with the letters on their t-shirts. The photo soon went viral and sparked outrage. The lettered shirts were also seen in a wider class photo taken that spelled out the phrase "Best*you've*ever*seen*class*of*2016."

The School's superintendent, Kenneth Baca, responded to the incident saying, “We will not tolerate, anyone promoting any type of hate or using any type of racial slur." Christine Barela, the principal of the Desert Vista High School, sent a message to families of students.

“Dear Desert Vista Families,

We want to let you know we share your outrage and disappointment over the actions of a handful of our students today. We want to make it crystal clear those actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Desert Vista.

Those actions do not represent who we are as a campus. We can assure you we will discipline these students in accordance with district policy and our student handbook.

While we don’t discuss individual discipline, we can tell you that in addition, the obvious need for sensitivity training will be addressed.

As a precaution, Phoenix Police will be increasing security at and around Desert Vista.”

Further outrage came when people learned that the students were only suspended. People are calling for the students to be expelled. The girls did not unknowingly spell out this racial slur. The photo was for one of their boyfriends who is black, the girls said. The fact that they consciously had the photo taken is more than enough grounds for expulsion.

One of the girls, Rachel Steigerwald, pictured wearing the the ‘R’ t-shirt released a public apology for her actions saying, “I have come here to say that, I know people have been offended from what I did. And I have come here to say that I am incredibly, incredibly sorry. I have love for everyone in my heart. I am not a racist and I'm asking everyone for forgiveness."

"A diversity workshop was held for some students on Monday, and Principal Barela also addressed the school in the morning, according to the Arizona Republic." A petition on change.org is demanding that the girls be expelled for the actions. The petition currently has 48,845 supporters.