Denver school hit with civil rights complaint after 'families of color playground night' surfaces

A Denver elementary school and Illinois school district are facing federal civil rights complaints for allegedly engaging in an illegal form of segregation.

The complaints came just after the schools – Centennial Elementary and Downers Grove South High School – gained national attention. 

Centennial had a sign announcing its "families of color playground night." Earlier this week, the school defended the event in a statement provided to Fox News. "Our school leaders met with some of the Black families whose children attend our school to determine ways for these families to feel more included in our school community," the statement said. 

"Some of these families shared with us that, since the only time many of them see one another is at drop-off and pick-up times, we host some events where Black families can meet one another, connect with one another and share their experiences about the school with one another. We are honoring their request. All families are welcome to attend all of our events, and families from a variety of backgrounds have done so."