California: Showdown Over Flags at HS
Report; Posted on: 2006-05-11 13:46:30 [ Printer friendly / Instant flyer ]
Students' displaying of flags fuels Castro Valley confrontation
By Eric Louie
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Racial tensions came to a boil at Castro Valley High today between students
displaying Mexican and American flags, having simmered since May 1's "Day
Without Immigrants" protests.
While students on both sides -- largely divided between Latinos and
whites -- and administrators disagree on whether race is what originally
sparked the bad feelings, there's no uncertainty it's now all about race.
"This is out of control," said freshmen Allie Levy as she and a friend were
picked up by a parent during lunch. They were leaving early because they
feared for their safety.
During today's lunchtime demonstrations, dozens of students grouped with
those holding Mexican flags, and one flag from El Salvador. A slightly
smaller group carrying U.S. flags was nearby. There were about 200 students
altogether.
Though the groups stayed away from each other physically, there were heated
exchanges at times, overseen by several Alameda County Sheriff's deputies
on foot, on motorcycle and in patrol cars.
School staff also looked on, some trying to get students to keep off the
streets and others strongly encouraging students to disperse. Some cars
passed by, their occupants variously honking in support or shouting angry
words.
The tensions started the day of walkouts around the country in support of
immigrants, said Lisa Garcia, Castro Valley High associate principal. Last
Friday, as the school held its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, some
students brought American flags to protest the walkout movement.
"It was to get into the face of other people," Garcia said. She said 56
percent of the 2,800-student school is white, while about 18 percent is
Latino. "They've never brought flags before. It was creating more tension."
Garcia said there had not been violence as of this afternoon, though school
staff did have to break up a confrontation in which slurs were used.
Monday, the school asked students on both sides not to bring flags, she
said. Some students were called into the office over the displays, but no
one had been suspended by this afternoon.
But students bearing the American flag outside the school during lunch today
said the administration has cracked down on only on those with American
flags, with actions including suspensions. Their motivation, they said, is
freedom of expression.
"It's mainly about my rights as a patriot," said junior Brett Pellaton,
whose pickup truck had two flags flying from the back.
However, race has become an issue.
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