Rashad stays in the hospital to recover. A video of the assault is circulated and the community takes sides. Some believe Officer Galluzzo must have been justified and others believe that Rashad was an innocent victim of police brutality. Carlos paints "Rashad is Absent Again Today" on school grounds, which serves as a rallying cry to students.
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Rashad and Quinn are conflicted about marching. Rashad wishes life could get back to normal. Quinn looked up to Officer Galluzzo like a father after his died in Afghanistan. Rashad decides to march after talking to Mrs. Fitzgerald about her experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. Quinn realizes in order to honor his father, he must stand up for what he believes.
Rashad's father confesses that when he was a policeman, he mistakenly shot and paralyzed a young Black man. This revelation shocks Rashad. Quinn wears a shirt to show his support for the march and fights with his best friend Guzzo, ending their friendship. Later, Quinn gives the police a statement of what he witnessed.