Posted: Apr 26, 2011 10:56 PM
Updated: Apr 27, 2011 5:00 AM
TUCSON - The Tucson Unified School District was supposed to have a meeting Tuesday night to discuss and possibly vote on Ethnic Studies becoming an elective class instead of part of the core curriculum.
Ten minutes before the meeting was supposed to start, something happened that the school board wasn't expecting.
Hundreds gathered at the district headquarters. Right before 6PM Tuesday night students barged through the doors, shackling themselves to the school board member's chairs.
"We're stuck here and we're going to stay here until something is done," said Rincon High Senior Mayra Feliciano.
Students wanted their voices to be heard.
"They still haven't shown they are going to do what they can to save these classes, so we decided to escalate. What we are doing is direct action and we don't have any fear anymore," said Rincon High School Senior Daniel Montoya.
But some say this is not the way to resolve their issue.
"They're being taught not to respect any other point of view. Not to respect the laws, not to respect their elders, they are acting like a mob, " said Pat Sexton.
Around 6:30PM, board members pulled the plug on the meeting, writing a note that the meeting would be postponed and next time located at a larger venue.
"I knew it was going to be big, but not like this," said School Board Member Adelita Grijalva.
As the chanting continued, the board members that were expected to vote against the proposal remained in the district headquarters. The ones expected to vote for the proposal were no where to be seen.
"We're here to fight for an education, for human rights. Human rights is Ethnic Studies and we should be allowed to have a say in our education because our education is our future," said Feliciano.
"They're not going to get anywhere, expect hate," said Nina Samuels.
Comments