A fight broke out at a California school Friday between a teacher and a student suspected of dealing drugs in class and now the teacher has been suspended.

Mark Black was the teacher involved in the altercation. Black is also a wrestling coach at Santa Monica High School.

Student witnesses say Black was trying to confiscate some drug materials from the student. Supposedly, the student visibily displayed marijuana.

In the now viral video taken by student witnesses, which has over a million views, Black can be seen grabbing and grappling with the student. He finally gets the student to the ground and the video ends.


Students are supporting the teacher who has been put on leave. They've started a campaign on Facebook that's gotten thousands of supporters to sign the online petition to get Black his job back.

The superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District responded with an e-mail to parents. Sandra Lyon called the incident "utterly alarming". She doesn't seem to support Black's decision to get physical with the student.

It won't be Lyon's decision on Black's punishment, however. An independent investigation of the review will occur and that could decide Black's future.

LA Times writer Robin Abcarian thinks when the investigation is over, Black will be labeled a hero among his fellow teachers for his actions Friday.