Posted on 03/21/2003 10:44:37 AM PST by rface
About two dozen Capital High School students stood in a courtyard and flashed peace signs Thursday while their angry classmates shouted “war” and pelted them with cartons of chocolate milk.
The heated confrontation lasted about 15 minutes. Students from both sides were disciplined and may face suspensions.
The war protesters left classes 10 minutes early, hoping their courtyard gathering would draw attention and alert students that “business shouldn’t go on as usual.”
“I’m pro truth,” said Emily Basile, an 11th-grade student who helped to organize the protest.
Many students taunted the protesters, calling them “hippies” and stripping them of the anti-war signs they held. War supporters outnumbered protesters by about 3-to-1.
The shouting escalated after three crews of television reporters fanned out through the angry crowd.
“Blow them off the map. That’s what I think,” said Jonathan Anderson, referring to the Iraqi army.
“Bush is only trying to protect our rights from a communist government that wants to take over the U.S.,” said Joseph Lentz, a senior who already has pre-enlisted in the Marine Corps.
“If you don’t support Bush and his war to protect America, you’re a terrorist yourself,” said Kevin Rowland, a Capital sophomore.
Capital Principal Clinton Giles said he supported students’ right to protest, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to disrupt classes.
“Their intentions were good,” said Giles, who called the parents of protesters to the school. “I’m disappointed they didn’t find a more appropriate way to express themselves.”
The protest started at 11:30 a.m., 15 minutes before the lunch bell. Students sat in a circle in the courtyard, strumming guitars and singing peace songs.
Giles approached, and the students buried their heads in copies of books such as Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” and Abbie Hoffman’s “Steal This Book.”
“You are out of class without proper authorization,” Giles announced. “You’re doing this the wrong way.”
“Excuse me, can I say something?” Basile asked.
“No you can’t,” Giles responded. “You are all wrong. You’re insubordinate.”
“On a day like this, business should not go on like usual,” said Jessica Grubb, a senior.
Giles told the protesters their “statement would be just as powerful” after class and during lunch break.
Basile called the walkout an “act of civil disobedience,” likening it to Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955.
“Without Rosa Parks, you wouldn’t be where you are right now,” Basile told Giles, the only African-American high school principal in the county.
“Who’s to decide when is the right time and place?” said Kate Tabor, a Capital 10th-grader.
The war protesters were joined by Capital history teacher Paula Kerner, who supported them but encouraged them not to protest during class time. Kerner said she has two friends serving overseas.
“I want them home,” she said. “I don’t want to go to a memorial service for them.”
Students planned to bring poems, flowers and candles to school this week and place them under the flagpole. On Wednesdays, they plan to hold “a day of silence” and may tape their mouths shut in protest of war.
On the opposite side, students hastily drew up signs to show their support for the war in Iraq.
One sign pasted on the cafeteria door said, “Saddam had his chance. It’s time for war.” Another read, “F—- Saddam, Feed him dog sh—.”
Other students took a more moderate stand. Many had a difficult time understanding their classmates’ protest.
“I don’t see why they’re protesting,” said Randy Evans, a second lieutenant in the school’s JROTC. “The Iraqi people don’t have peace. Why are they protesting for peace?”
Leslie Bridwell, a 10th-grader explained it this way: “We’re trying to get our voices heard. We’re teen-agers. Nobody ever listens to us.”
After lunch, about a dozen protesters remained in the courtyard.
As rain misted down, they voluntarily picked up empty milk cartons and other trash, then waited for their parents to arrive at school to take them home.
Thank God for the INTERNET! For FOX News! For Rush! For Sean! For Bill O'Reilly! For Ollie! For President Reagan! For President Bush I! For President GW Bush and VP Cheney! Thank GOD for the Washington Times, thank GOD for Tony Blair! Thank GOD for Free Republic and Jim Robinson! And thank GOD for all our brave troops and those of the nations helping us!
“Without Rosa Parks, you wouldn’t be where you are right now,” Basile told Giles, the only African-American high school principal in the county.
And so the racist, condescending paternalism of the left continues.
I wonder how many race-baiting comments were made to the principal by the pro-America students? This article doesn't record any.
Now that's a damn good idea. They may just learn something about the world if they shut up and listen for a while.
That pretty much sums it up.
Maybe someone can tell tom dasshole about this.
A very commendable comment~! LOL!
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