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.
We ought to have a mexican flag burning day. I am sick of them!
Roger? Is that you?
Do you see whites and blacks marching to evict Hispanics lately? Calm down? This is the tip of the iceberg, boyo. Btw, I'm pre Vatican II.
We must be doing something right, because the Republican share of the Hispanic vote has doubled, from about 20% to about 40% over the last few election cycles. Hispanics in general are NOT the problem, but you try to bait the issue just like a troll would.
You tell people here, newbie, to calm down about replacing our flag with the Mexican flag, then you tell us you are upset about the Mexican flag being burned. That shows your where your priorities lie, precisely the kind of sentiment that stirs up suspicion. If you want to calm things down, and if you live in or near a Hispanic community, why don't you spread the word that it isn't COOL to mess with Old Glory?
You are so right! We should roll over and die like the Israeli government is apparently doing? You can go pound sand. As a matter of fact, we could do well acquiring Baja Cali, if they want to play this crap :-D
I don't understand. If those carrying flags of Mexico love their country so much, why are they here?
I'd be damned mad as well if the flag of Mexico flew above the American flag.
...sh*t happens....
You have much wisdom in the things you say, and are blessed to have a beautiful family.
I think this issue of illegal immigration needs to be solved in a way where Carte Blanche is not given to those who break the law.
We must welcome those who want to come to this country, but it must be done legally.
Too many die trying to get to this country illegally at the hands of smugglers.
Let's do it again!
I understand being annoyed with the Mexican flag waving protestors but this ain't Red Dawn, despite what some on this thread think. Thankfully, more sober minds will lead the anti-illegal immigration cause. I won't be surprised if several of the more (ahem) animated comments are removed by the mods.
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It won't become a Red Dawn cancer if concerned citizens intervene and administer a dose of gringotherapy - NOW!!!
""I know (they) shouldn't have burned the Mexican flag," said Jacob Stewart, a 16-year-old sophomore."
Why not?
He's right. He shouldn't have burned it. He should have pi__ed on it and then burned it.
What dream world are you in? I believe both groups of "children" knew exactly what they were doing!
"...but so is burning the Mexican flag in response. If no example is set, then violence could quickly break out."
Provocative? Defending your country IN your country? The flag was burned AFTER it was used to insult America.
The guys should have driven the point home with a sound beating of these third-world hell hole chavunist jackasses.
Terrorists burn flags.
C'mon folks. Let's show a little respect and common sense. We are not at war with Mexico. Come down on illegals like an anvil but don't burn the Mexican flag.
It is the failure of the elites to recognize that reasonable people will eventually reach Anger that is at the bottom of much of the trouble we are seeing today.
This very scenerio has been happening in the Texas border communities for years.Students have raised the Mexican flags and during pep rallies, the shouts have been Spanish versus English. Some of this always breaks out in fights.
Jacob will now be brought up on hate crimes charges.
About time!
We all stand with you Jacob!
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