Wasn't this flag raising meant to intimidate someone?
-PJ
Posted on 05/11/2006 4:06:15 PM PDT by SmithL
CASTRO VALLEY - Students waving American flags amidst racial tension between Latino and white students were back at Castro Valley High early this morning, with those on both sides expecting the situation to escalate.
At 7 a.m. several pickup trucks and other vehicles with American flags began arriving in one of the parking lots. The students then walked around the lot in a small, quiet demonstration.
Ashley Morrison, a junior, is upset some view these flag-wielders as "racist white kids." She said it is about supporting the country, and believes there's a double standard for students who bring flags representing other countries.
"We're just trying to prove a point," said Morrison, who drove up while playing "America the Beautiful" on her truck's stereo. "Most of us don't care about getting in trouble. People died for this country.
"We're just trying to support our country," she said.
Jessica Bisio, a senior who rode in with Morrison, had a shirt with the words "Keep America Free" handwritten on the back. She said while many of the students with American flags are from rural areas, they're not ignorant.
"So we're just (seen as) the hicks and rednecks," she said.
There were no demonstrations from the other side this morning. That was not the case during a lunch period Wednesday, the first day of confrontation between the two groups, when groups of students carrying Mexican flags countered those with the American flags, as cars honking support and yelling insults to both sides drove by. Several Alameda County Sheriff's deputies were on hand during lunch, as hundreds of students faced off. The two sides had also demonstrated Wednesday morning.
Javier Sanchez, a senior arriving to school this morning with a Mexican flag in his hand, said the experience has given him a negative view of the American flag which he did not have before.
"Now the American flag is racism more than anything else," he said.
School officials have said tensions have risen since the May 1 "Day Without Immigrants." About 56 percent of the 2,800-student school is white, while about 18 percent is Latino. As the school held its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration Friday, a group of students brought American flags. School officials say it was meant to counter the May 1 movement, and that racial and anti-immigrant slurs have been used, though students with the American flags say it is about patriotism and that they are the only ones being picked on.
The school on Monday said they asked students on both sides not bring the flags, which heightened the demonstrations. The school is now allowing students to have the displays but asks they be respectful and during non-class times, such as lunch or breaks. Students Thursday said a meeting between the two sides with school officials is planned.
Amparo Ozuna said since that day her daughter, a sophomore, has students tell her to "go home" and other racist remarks about Latinos.
"I believe in flying the American flag but not when it's used to intimidate people," said Ozuna, who was thinking about having her daughter come stay home for fear of her safety.
More courage and sense in that kid than all 200 Senators put together.
We are in agreement.
"Castro Valley High. Just the name of the school tells you something."
Castro Valley is named after Don Castro, a wealthy rancher of the Spanish era.
I was born, raised, and continue to live and love my community here. Please understand that there are many, many hispanics who are as much AMERICAN as any white person and my brownness does not automatically make me an "illegal" or a supporter of it. In fact, my family arrived on these shores long before the pilgrims, we settled, fought in our wars (my Uncle was a Bataan march survivor), and continue to live in peace and freedom as AMERICANS.
Saturday, Castro Valley residents will gather for our annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo parade and my family will be there cheering for our flag, our veterans, and our community.
"Spot quiz! Name one country other than the US and Israel in which people displaying their national flag are attacked and punished..."
DENMARK
No other country?
"At some point" may be sooner than we think.
While our lawmakers hash it out and we sit here on Free Republic, having practically waged war against each other over this issue, we seem to have forgotten that what the illegal aliens and their supporters are demanding is NOT what ANY of us is offering. They are demanding IMMEDIATE, UNEARNED, LEGALIZATION AND AMNESTY, OPEN BORDERS AND RETURN OF THEIR 'STOLEN' LAND.
In all of the protests I have not seen a single one of them carrying a sign that said "GRATEFUL TO BE HERE IN AMERICA....WILLING TO WORK TO EARN AMNESTY" or "GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.....SECURE THE BORDER"
I have, however, seen signs that said "VIVA LA REVOLUCION" (and worse)
God bless patriots like you and God bless America. V's wife.
Wasn't this flag raising meant to intimidate someone?
-PJ
It might just be a hot summer.
And OUR REPUBLICAN President wants to give it to them!
The Union Jack probably has seen a fair share of abuse in the past.
I've seen the coming backlash. Even in my ultraliberal community, the letters to the editor that question the illegals' protests have outnumbered the pro-illegal letters.
But she would probably not have a problem with illegal aliens and friends flying the Mexican flag to intimidate American citizens while clogging up our cities and streets. That, of course, is "different".
Anybody that doesn't like it here can head right back to Mexico. And the sooner, the better.
Britian, Australia, New Zeeland, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada,
Just about every Western Country that has succumbed to PC baloney.
You did a better job than I of stating it.
When was your area settled?? When did your family settle there? Years before 1620??
Latino is not white? Tell a Spaniard he is not white...
Just about every Western Country that has succumbed to PC baloney
women lawyers........ACLU and "janeway" men are killing us
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