Counter-Protest Ping!
Posted on 03/30/2006 11:38:23 PM PST by beaversmom
Tensions over immigration reform heightened in the Phoenix area's East Valley Thursday when students raised a Mexican flag over Apache Junction High School — and then other students yanked it down and burned it. "I know (they) shouldn't have burned the Mexican flag," said Jacob Stewart, a 16-year-old sophomore. "I heard it was raised above the American flag and that just irked me."
He said the turbulence was tied to debates going on in the state Legislature and Congress, where ideas ranging from offering illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship to making them felons are being floated.
Freshman Chelsea Garcia, 15, and junior Brittany Ramage, 16, said the unrest had more to do with long-running racial tensions at the school.
The week's events might have sparked some anger, Ramage said, "but kids aren't too deep about that stuff."
The Hispanic student who brought the Mexican flag said he was responding to a remark directed at him Wednesday. The flag-raising, flag-burning, and shoving match that followed happened before most students arrived at school.
Six students — three Hispanic and three white — will be disciplined, Principal Chad Wilson said.
Officials with the Apache Junction Unified School District would not specify what punishment the six face.
Wilson did say in a letter sent home to parents that there would be "increased supervision, including additional police officers, on the campus over the next couple of days."
School flagpoles have been lightning rods across the country this week, including an incident in which a Houston high-school principal was disciplined after he flew a Mexican flag underneath his campus' U.S. and state flags.
A new political awareness among students has also been grabbing attention, as thousands have walked out on classes to join rallies in Phoenix and elsewhere. More than 100 students from Mesa's Carson Junior High and Westwood High schools marched in protest on Mesa streets Tuesday.
Ok Noob. As a Catholic who is constantly reminded why I don't give a damn about the church anymore, what is your solution? Kumbaya? Give peace "another" chance?
Surrender never ever works.
I have read your posts, and you are completely delusional. You refuse to see the writing that is on the wall in some misguided sense of being "compassionate."
Take your compassion to Mexico and see where it gets you. Just because shots are not being fired does not not mean these people are not invading, conquering, and laying claim to our country.
Agreed.
As I've said before, I don't advocate doing rallies where you burn flags. Or, generally, burning any flag for any reason. That would show we're as bad as them. But i do have to admit it's somewhat nice to see that kids will stand up for America. They may not have done the right thing, but its still somewhat reassuring.
Way to go, Jacob! A virtual handshake and pat on the back from this FReeper to you!
I have heard news of Mexicans burining our Stars and Stripes in Mexico. It's pay back time.
I'm glad someone had the balls to show they won't stand by and let it happen for once.
and I hope we all will be willing to stand up and be counted when it gets worse.
These Azlantians are no better then neo nazis and hundred times as dangerous, neo nazis aren't organized or armed to the extent the Azlans are.
I have heard news of Mexicans burining our Stars and Stripes in Mexico. It's pay back time.
###
YES IT IS!
The Mexican flag is known as a symbol for radicals in the US. I have no problem seeing Mexican flags flying- in Mexico. This is the United States of America, and we have our own flag that we are mighty proud of. I do not approve of flying other countries flags in this country, except at offices of Mexican officials, and then it should be displayed correctly- never above the US Flag.
It disturbs me that you don't seem to understand the issue, one who is proud to be an American will only support the display of the American flag. If one wishes to show pride in another country by flying that country's flag- I suggest they go back to that country to do it. You speak of ethnic pride, what I see in the display of the Mexican flag in the US is a lack of pride in being an American. Anyone who is here that does not support America needs to leave- regardless of what country they came from. Having pride in your ethnicity is great, but not when it involves displaying the flag of another country. To me and many others the display of the flag is an in your face gesture, as though one country is set on conquering another country- claiming the land for another country. That is how it has been throughout history, I really don't believe anyone thinks it is innocent to display another countries flag in the manner it has been recently. To me when I see all the people in the street with Mexican flags I take it as a declaration of war.
Apache Junction isn't too far from Salt River.
I wonder if the spirit of Ira Hayes filled Jacob.
That's totally correct. I've always abhorred the hyphenated names. I'd say they becoming Americans.
I was very tired when posting earlier now that I've had some sleep I can think a little more clearly FWIW.
It is a freedom of speech issue, or does that only apply to burning the American flag?
BUMP for Burning Mexican flags.
"Thank God you have some reasoning on this thread. I cant believe a bunch of grown men and women are acting like this and encouraging this stuff. This needs to calm down quick."
So, does that mean you approve of the Mescin flag flying in American cities?
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