Canoga High protest turns into looting
By Lisa M. Sodders and Ryan Oliver Staff Writers
An anti-war march against the U.S. policy on Iraq by about 500 Canoga Park
High School students turned ugly Wednesday when some in the crowd started
looting a gas station convenience store and disrupting traffic.
A group of students who skipped class to participate in the lunchtime
protests stole candy bars and knocked over displays at the Mobil gas
station at the corner of Topanga Canyon and Victory boulevards, officials
said. Five of them were detained on suspicion of vandalism and theft, said
Officer Jason Lee, a police spokesman.
Store owner Masood Behroozi said his clerk saw several students knocking
over racks, breaking glasses and swiping snack foods. The whole incident
was recorded on a surveillance tape that was turned over to police, he
said. "They were just joking and laughing and doing this for fun."
"I know they are kids and they are young, but if they really love peace,
they should show that they at least believe what they say," Behroozi said.
"I don't really care about the material loss. I'm just sad in my heart they
would do this."
The march was part of a worldwide protest against U.S. policy, and drew
thousands of Los Angeles-area high school and college students throughout
the city. Los Angeles police arrested 18 protesters downtown for failure to
disperse and other misdemeanors when they blocked traffic for more than an
hour.
Canoga Park High Principal Dennis Thompson said he was disheartened by the
students' actions. "In this great country of ours, we have the right to
express our feelings and the kids that organized this march wanted to send
a message and, unfortunately, that message was not heard because of the
actions of just a few kids."
Local district superintendent Deborah Leidner added: "A handful of
youngsters took what was an honest concern of many and created a diversion
from that through their actions, and that saddens me. For the most part,
our kids are sincere in their concerns, peaceful, and they really believe
in their cause."
Districtwide, students from 22 schools participated in Wednesday's class
walkout, said LAUSD police Officer Jose Rios.
The protests were organized by numerous groups, including Not in Our Name,
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, and the Coalition for
World Peace.
Tens of thousands of students at more than 300 colleges and universities
nationwide had pledged to join the protests, according to the National
Youth and Student Peace Coalition. Thousands of students also rallied for
peace in Britain, Sweden, Spain, Australia and other countries.
In the Valley, about 30 Sylmar High School students marched more than five
miles Wednesday morning, carrying anti-war signs and chanting slogans in
Spanish such as "The people united will never be divided."
"We're not doing this just to leave school," said Sylmar High student Patty
Leon, 14, who has a brother in the Marines. "We're doing this to get our
voices heard."
LAUSD high schools were giving high school exit exams Wednesday and several
school officials said while they understood the students' views, there were
better forums to express them than leaving school.
Sylmar High Principal Linda Calvo said the students who left the campus
would be considered truant.
"I understand they felt they needed to send a message; we just have to make
sure they're safe and the instructional program is not disrupted."
San Fernando High School Principal Jose Luis said a group of adults
appeared outside the school at noon, and called for the students to join
them, shouting obscenities at administrators. He estimated that only three
students left; school officials will study videotape before deciding
penalties.
"We have been very proactive about this," Rodriguez said, adding that the
school offered an after-school forum on the war last month. "I told the
kids there is a procedure for expression during school time and we
certainly will help you do that. Walking out of school is against policy
and unacceptable."
Maritza Merchor, 16, a Sylmar High School student, shrugged off any
concerns about possible penalties for walking out Wednesday.
"It doesn't really matter," she said. "It's a statement -- a lot of people
are against the war. America is the one who looks bad."
The protest also drew students from Monroe High in North Hills, Grant High
in Valley Glen and Verdugo High in Tujunga.
Students at California State University, Northridge, gathered at busy
intersections along Nordhoff Street to protest.
At Glendale Community College, more than 100 protesters gathered on the
campus's grassy central plaza, holding picket signs and listening to
speeches over a loudspeaker.
"Protesting is more patriotic than going to war," said Fred Greissing, 42,
who was dressed as an injured soldier in a torn, blood-stained shirt and
fatigues. "I'm supporting the troops right now -- they are being used as
cannon fodder for an unnecessary war."
---
The Associated Press and Staff Writers Nicholas Grudin, Jason Kandel and
Simone Schramm contributed to this report.
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208~27080~1223897,00.html
Candy should be free!
pr writes on Thursday March 06 2003 @ 07:51PM PST: [ reply | parent ]
Certainly the Twinkie defence seems appropriate for these heinous
acts,perhaps even the defence of necessity? That the USA's unsustainable
and dangerous course necessitates radical and even illegal action as matter
of urgency.You are allowed to speed on your way to Hospital with a pregnant
womyn aren't you? A fighter pilot would never be charged with murder for
shooting down a hijacked airliner.I got an e-mail from the Sheik..."The
United States has declared war," he said in a radio message to armed
freedom fighters "Our obligation is to fight them.Anyone who destroys
American interests, consulates, all missionary organizations, McDonald's,
KFC, Shell or Caltex petrol pumps or American Express, or anyone who cuts
off the head of an American, you will be given complete protection and a
special place in paradise." ANARCHY BUMIYE!
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=03/03/06/1001379
