Posted on 05/10/2006 8:47:21 PM PDT by SmithL
CASTRO VALLEY - 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.
Rex Van Porst, a junior who stood with students bearing Mexican flags, held a homemade sign reading "Peace." He said he and his friends have endured racially derogatory remarks.
"If you want to show your patriotism, that's fine," said Van Porst, who is half white and Latino. "But I've had some say to me 'forget you,' forget your heritage.' There was profanity."
Students with the American flags agreed, but blamed the other side.
"They've called me a hick, even though I'm not a hick," said Bowen Weist, a junior.
Freshman Samantha Zima, wearing clothing resembling the U.S. flag wrapped around her head, lamented that.
"It's definitely race," said Zima, who is half Latino and half white. She said freedom-of-speech concerns drew her into the issue.
Garcia said the school is now letting students display flags, but only on their own time, including breaks during school, and before and after school.
Students on both sides said while Wednesday was the day of large demonstrations from both sides they said such displays will continue throughout the week.
Oh, nevermind! I know better.
BUMP for a local issue...
If I write something here, it will be removed by the moderator. They've been testy lately. The big boys (powers that be) have finally realized we the little people are enraged. They are now trying to de-escalate this whole thing. Seems like some of the supporters of the lawless illegal alien crowd are doing the same. However, the damage is already done and peoples' eyes are now open.
In the 1840s-1860s, there were out and out riots between groups such as the "True Blue Americans" who wore American flags as their "gang" colors and Irish immigrants (who came in long before there was really such thing as immigration laws). Check out the books "Low Life" and "Paradise Alley" for some REAL ethnic violence.
Coco, Debbie Principal dcoco@cv.k12.ca.us
Hey CCC - bump for this one!
There is no Constitutional right to not be offended. There are, however, certain inalienable rights protecting freedom of speech, freedom of peaceable assembly, and equal protection under the law. The newspaper has only touched on a small part of this story.
Gangs of New York depicted it pretty well too..
Thanks for posting this, I am interested in this in a genealogical way. You said "Irish" and you said 1840's-1860's. You are undoubtedly speaking about actual "Irish" who came over in the mid 1840's.
And WTF was the whole Mayday "Bring America to its Knees" thing about?
Oops, I'm sorry, I forgot only white people can be guilty of escalating racial tensions.
Let's see... If the hispanics were waving American flags as proud Americans there wouldn't be a problem, except from the liberals who will want to know why a bunch of brownies are off their plantation.
Therefore, it cannot be about race.
(I'm considered a brownie by liberals, and they can't stand that I vote conservative.)
Thanks, couldn't find a contact on Yahoo.
This is nothing short of idiotic.
Don't want to be offended? Go back to Mexico and take your border hopping friends and family. Change your home before you change our home. Think we're racist? Tell that to the cop in Mexico City that shot an American to death because he was an illegal.
Get these illegals, get the parents, round them up, and Deport them to antartica or the most souther tip of South America. Show we won't take this law breaking anymore.
Cinco de Mayo celebration??? Wrong country Ms. Garcia...
First the Confederate Battle Flag was effectively banned by the PC Police; Old Glory will follow.
Luc Sante isn't bad.
West Coast would be something on the Zoot Suit Riots...
Of course, the race riots in NYC were more violent, more significant and larger than race riots anywhere else.
It's time to start calling the bluffs of a whole variety of pissant blowhards, locally, nationally, and internationally...these movements are substantially dependent on the perception of a weak kneed response on the part of liberal governments worldwide...
Cinco de Mayo was a HUGE celebration at my elementary school back when I went in the 70s. I was a distinct minority. :-/
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