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URGENT MESSAGE FROM ANDY GRIGGS
Teacher, Steering Committee, US Labor Against the War
Member of UTLA Board of Directors(Organizations for
Identification purposes only)

MESSAGE CONCERNING HARASSMENT AND RETRIBUTION OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES AROUND THE WORLD CAN'T WAIT NOV. 2nd MOBILIZATION.

I would like to amplify my concerns about the treatment of students during the Nov. 2nd World Can't Wait mobilization. I have heard reports that "Belmont High School student Geovany Serrano has just been notified by Belmont High School authorities that he will not be allowed to return to Belmont High and will be transferred to another school. Geovany remains under house arrest and is facing criminal charges for passing out flyers calling for the November 2nd walkout". I am very concerned about what appears to be a pattern of harassment and intimidation of students who chose to participate in the World Can't Wait activities at numerous schools. I have heard that some students have received truancy tickets and are subjected to hundreds of dollars of fines. They were forbidden to carry literature and other materials, such as stickers onto campus.  I would remind the district that students do have the right to pass out leaflets and wear buttons and stickers as long as they are not libelous or profane according to the California Education Code, Section 48907. Another troubling thing, is the uneven and unequal treatment of those who chose to participate, based on local administration's whims.

In some schools students were prevented from walking out in contradiction to the The policy of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) regarding student walkouts which was communicated in a memo to principals dated October 26, 2005, and initialed by Dan Isaacs from the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. It stated, Do not attempt to prevent students from leaving the campus.

I call on the district to take steps to ensure that these students are treated fairly.

I also urge other teachers, parents and community members to express their concern about this matter to the school district and its representatives and to support a policy of no reprisals for students who chose to organize and participate in World Cant Wait Nov. 2 activities.