![People take part in a recreation of the Battle of Puebla during "Cinco de Mayo" celebrations in Mexico City, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces loyal to Benito Juarez defeated French troops sent by Napoleon III in the Battle of Puebla, in Puebla, central Mexico](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/00/f5/00f5380fa3b0e98449e53f095861476e.jpg "People take part in a recreation of the Battle of Puebla during "Cinco de Mayo" celebrations in Mexico City, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces loyal to Benito Juarez defeated French troops sent by Napoleon III in the Battle")
Cinco de Mayo shirt American flag flap: Cops increased patrols at California school
The fallout continued Friday after an incident on Cinco de Mayo when four students were chastised for wearing shirts with the American flag. At least two of the four students said they were part Latino themselves.
The school is Live Oak High School, in Morgan Hill, California, about a hour south of San Francisco.
Tea Party members plan a rally in support of the flag-shirt wearing students on Saturday. Click here for details.
Morgan Hill Police told the San Jose Mercury News that two officers instead of just one, are patrolling the school. Police told the paper that they have heard rumors of more protests or possible fights and that the principal had requested their presence.
As previously reported, the incident began on Wednesday, when many Mexican American students were wearing the colors of the Mexican flag. Four other students wore shirts with the American flag.
KGO radio is reporting that on Friday, May 7, some of the students were wearing white to encourage peace on campus.
One of the students who wore the American flag on Wednesday is Matthew Dariano, 16. He told the Mercury News that he was not in school on Friday because he feared violence. He and is mother, instead, were at a hotel during satellite interviews with Fox News.
The boys were asked by an assistant principal at the school to turn their shirts inside out or go home out of concern that it was "incendiary."
The school district is not supporting the school saying that they should not have been disciplined for wearing patriotic clothing, according toe Mercury News.
As previously reported, about 100 students walked out of the school on Thursday to protest the four students who were wearing the American flag on Cinco de Mayo.
The incident has been a top topic on talk radio since the story broke Wednesday. On Friday, May 7, talk show host Glenn Beck reiterated the story and told listeners that it is a good example why parents should home school their children.
Comments
Those poor kids, I hope someone in that school district gets fired! This is America, It's ok to wave everybody else's flag but when Americans wave our own flag they get berated...What a shame for this country. Just 2 more years of Obama then were free! Enough is enough.
i do beleive if the parents of theses kids would gather around those who was affected by the racial infraction was done to them over there freedom of choice to wear what they want to wear and try to believe in what they beleive may be we wouldnt have to call them liar all the time;and we would nt of ever had a ilegal immigrant principle to begin with who took sides to begin with;they came here ilegally and univited and we didnt want them here and yet they are still here and we dont have to bow down to them;and we have;it needs to stop!we need to import them asap and we wouldnt have all these problems now would we!Xbut no let california have its hay day;you hate the homeless and try to kill them any way you can and thats not enough;if you have a comment on this leave it here or write me at my email site at normajaybertrand8@gmail.com or at normajayb@aol.com or facebook.com or call me or text me at my cell phone no;409-223-2755; and remember we are all human beings whether we like it or not;its really not your choice to make its gods;and how we treat each other will be judged whether we like it or not;mexicans will get theres i promise for taking away what they never owned nor deservec;
they should have not worn those shirts on that particular day they are just of bunch of pussies looking for trouble i say hooray for the principle
What people like David don't understand is that this principal stripped these students of their constitutional right to free speech. The principal and any other administrative figures who wouldn't let these boys wear their American flag shirt could be sued, and should certainly be reprimanded for their actions. But good job on the name calling David, that accomplishes so much!
They weren't disrespecting anyone. If anything they were disrespedted. Good for them for not apologizing.
I think that this is the stupidest thing.
If you make the kids pledge their allegiance to a country every morning, at least let them wear the shirts!
This is a tempest in a teapot. Cinco De Mayo is a Mexican-AMERICAN holiday -- less controversial than Columbus Day, and less nationalistic (in the native country) than St. Patrick's Day. It's not even really celebrated in Mexico -- it's more of a holiday to celebrate a Mexican-American heritage. Heck, its an excuse to drink and have a parade, like both of those dates!
It's a shame, but I'm sure that 50-100 years ago, there were people battling over those two holidays. The school district shouldn't have sent the kids home -- they should have just talked to them, esp. since 2 were Mexican-American. Maybe they would have come out wearing both flags, and celebrating our sibling to the south.
Those boys have a RIGHT to wear AMERICAN COLORS AND SYMBOLS TO AN AMERICAN SCHOOL IN AMERICA on every day of the year if they so choose. If the school district wants to save itself from a lawsuit, they should fire Principal Nick Boden and Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez over this issue. The clothing in question does not disrespect any other nationality in any way. In America EVERYONE is allowed to take pride in their heritage and express themselves freely under the First Amendment, INCLUDING AMERICANS. Obviously that is a civics lesson that the Principal and Assistant Principal missed out on. Apparently David also skipped his civics class on the same day.
At other schools in California on Cinco de Mayo, kids wore either or both Mexican and American flags and none of them had incidents of violence on campus. Administrators at other schools obviously understand that it is unthinkable to restrict Free Speech in this nation, especially when it pertains to patriotic displays.
WHOA!!! why is this an issue? the kids are over it... why aren't the adults?
i don't want those trouble-making "tea-party" people in my peaceful little community...
yeah, what that administrator did was wrong... but, again, the kids are over it... they have prom this weekend to worry about... i hate that the media has blown this story up... we're used to the local news ignoring gilroy and morgan hill... we like it that way, otherwise crap like this happens!
Its a point that does need to be made more, it needs to be brought up and explained fully all across America. While living in El Paso I was informed by my chain of command while in the military not to wear or display American flags on my clothes or vehicle while traveling in the city. Why is it ok to celebrate this day and push so hard to understand a holiday that isn't celebrated by most of Mexico but me as a soldier could not show my patriotism? Yes, I think you are wrong by trying to hush this up, it needs to be brought out and show the people of America how much control Illegal immigrants have in this country now.
Phoenicia: "WHOA!!! why is this an issue? the kids are over it... why aren't the adults?" ..... are you kidding me? Do you suffer from the lack of English comprehension? WHICH PARTS OF:
"As previously reported, about 100 students walked out of the school on Thursday to protest the four students who were wearing the American flag on Cinco de Mayo" AND "KGO radio is reporting that on Friday, May 7 (that was yesterday), some of the students were wearing white to encourage peace on campus" DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? It sure doesn't sound like the kids are over it.
Decades of political correctness and liberalism have culminated in this manifestation now for all the clearly see the result. Hey whites! Take back this country. You are the majority and not the freaking Mexicans. I'd rather deal with racism than this overt ignorance and sheer stupidity of the majority. TAKE BACK THIS COUNTRY!
Sorry guy but it isn't about whites taking back this country, it is about Americans "AMERICANS" doing what should be done more often showing their patriotism on a day that our kids should be educated on, and families should be able to celebrate in their homes and in public but not shoved down everyones throat the way it is right now because of political correctness. It really should not be a white against brown against black, male against female. Just plain patriotism and how proud you are to be an American.
Disrespectful? (LMAO) Shortsighted ethnocentric brats should exhibit the same tolerance they expect from me !!! So if that day is for them? Do the Irish get a day, what about the Arabs, and the Canadians will want a day too ehhh? Do you see where the shallow, victim mentality way of thinking leads? It's thinking like that "undermines the basic notions of fairness" I keep hearing about lately. How about rather than expect special treatment for a specific group we all get to be free every day of the year? It's people thinking like that that divide this country. DEMAND EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS!
The 200 students that walked out of school demanding the five students get disciplined just lived a "teachable moment", and the teacher's failed everyone! Those kids just learned a threat of violence will work to get what they want, and that demanding tolerance doesn't require them to exhibit any, soooooooo disappointed with all the "adults" involved.
Why is it offensive to "Mexican-Americans" for a person to wear an American flag? They have been brainwashed to take more pride in a country that they don't live in. If someone likes Mexico so much more than America, go live there. The girl in the video asking for an apology is not even Mexican if she is a U.S. citizen. She sounds pretty American to me. American does not mean white. Some friends of mine just immigrated legally to the U.S. from Pakistan a month ago. They call themselves Americans.
Check out this http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/mexicoflag.asp I remember this, and it is being shoved down everyones throat.
Let me get this straight it is now against the law to show that you are a proud American. You can wave your mexican flag and wear the tshirt, but you can't wear an American flag tshirt. Euck you california. You liberal jerks are messing up this country. Gabriel, American mexican
Every country has laws for people that are in there country illegally. Try going to mexico without a passport, see how far you get. You won't get far, you go straight to jail. Yet mexico strongly opposes the Arizona law. Funny huh, ask all the people in a mexican jail from honduras guatamala el salvador that are caught without documentation. They are not given amnesty. They get lock up.
How dare american kids wear american flags on their shirts in the United States. The NERVE of them!!!!
I support immigration. if it weren't for immigrants, this nation wouldn't have developed as far and as fast as it has. I also support the laws of the land, and those laws regulate how people arrive here, how they stay here, and how they leave here. they also clearly define a national versus non-US national. My russian family members don't celebrate russian national holidays now that they moved here... and they certainly don't demand benefits equal to what are awarded - liberally - to the latino community. what is it going to take for our government to hear US? I have alot of latino friends who are as American as I am, and they agree that this country needs to be respected and honored more, by the people that choose to live here.
the boys were just acting like a gang by wearing their colors on Cinco De Mayo. who cares about a bunch of kids , in the adult world when it comes to rate of pay white make more than brown. But if you feel the only way you can feel Superior is wear a flag shirt on Cinco De Mayo. then go for it . I swear Americans are becoming such whiners. they have all the opportunities and still complain. can't wait until next FEB when whites start complaining about black history month.
the boys were just acting like a gang by wearing their colors on Cinco De Mayo. who cares about a bunch of kids , in the adult world when it comes to rate of pay white make more than brown. But if you feel the only way you can feel Superior is wear a flag shirt on Cinco De Mayo. then go for it . I swear Americans are becoming such whiners. they have all the opportunities and still complain. can't wait until next FEB when whites start complaining about black history month.
regarding eyemale. Go back and learn about the Constitution and first admendment rights of free speech and freedom of expression. Take a step back. and look at who whines more about rights.... the latino community or american citizens. Look around you, go to the south east area. Many whites are living at the proverty level. Look at the construction jobs taken by undocumented immigrants where legal citizens including whites, and legal hispanic immigrants are unable to get a job because of the economy and undocumented immigrants coming in at lower wages.
I will be more than happy to discuss this in a civilized manner.
Phoenicia Bracco
If the shoes were reverse. There would be calls of racism and aclu jumps in. Did you hear about the hispanic senior student threatning another student and was arrested for it?
Did you hear about the latino gangs will beat the individual who wore the tee shirts?
It far from over. We should have a free non violent discussion about what was said, what administrators did, and use this as a teachable moment.
Asian gent in SF
ps if you would like to defend your point of view in a civilized matter post something and we can debate this issue
the boys were just acting like a gang by wearing their colors on Cinco De Mayo. who cares about a bunch of kids , in the adult world when it comes to rate of pay white make more than brown. But if you feel the only way you can feel Superior is wear a flag shirt on Cinco De Mayo. then go for it . I swear Americans are becoming such whiners. they have all the opportunities and still complain. can't wait until next FEB when whites start complaining about black history month.
There was a lot of wrong that came out of this week's events. 1.The boys should not wear American flag shirts, but only because it is a violation of flag rules and regulations found in the Library of Congress. The rules also state that the flag should be flown every day. There is no punishment for disobeying the clothing rule.
2.The boys should not have been asked to remove their patriotic clothing for any reason and they deserve an apology. Even if the act was an "in your face" display, it was a peaceful way to express free speech.
There was no school rule in place to not wear flag displays. There was a rule to not bring flags onto campus. So what were the Hispanic kids doing waving flags on Thursday. OK, so I shouldn't have snatched the Mexican flag from that kid in front of the school. It was a poor way to get my point across.
I don't get the demand for respect from Mexicans. Is that what the march was about? Most do not respect us, our laws, country. Look at the jail population
If you Google Cinco de Mayo you will find that it is ignored in Mexico. You will also see that the battle at Puebla was in Mexico not in San Francisco. The idea that they were told to remove the shirts on a Mexican "holiday" that is being celebrated in the USA is wrong. If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo I won't stop you , but don't try and stop me or other Americansd from showing our pride of our country. Apology? I will apologize when you all apologize for and take back the millions of illegals that live in my country. If I find myself in Mexico on the 5th of May, I will make sure I do not wear red, white or blue, and make sure I do not spend any of my green.
They shouldn't apologize! This is AMERICA!!
This is America! We don't go to Mexico and celebrate the 4th of July. If you want to celebrate go ahead. Just don't stop Americans from displaying their pride in THEIR country. The school should apologize to those students.
i am very disturbed that the principal of that school was even a mexican to begin with and he didnt no how to resolve a civil violation over our and there civil liberites;i mean in texas they tell us;we have none;they get a free ride over there twenty four seven;and i get told they have more civil rights then i do;and they werent even born here;they get our jobs and tell us by local churches leave the ranch jobs for them;they have there own country and they are wearing there flag that is a infringement on our civil liberties and our freedom of speech and its a ligality;and it has to change;now!those kids had more civil right to be wearing what they were then the mexicans did;this is not there country;i will personally stand on that one;njayb
I'm gonna wear my Great Britain flag t-shirt on 4th of July. And I swear I will scream "1st Amendment" if someone tries to stop me.
Fine, wear your Union Jack flag on 4TH of July. Does Great Britian have a first amendment? Im sorry thats the US Constitution. You know the one we had to whip England to get!!!!!
if a kid wants to rep his country he can it is his right to voice his oppinion its called freedom of speech and he lives in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA so i think he can wear a american flag if he wants to
I'm sorry but these Mexican students need an adjustment in their perspective. Imagine if I were in France and it happened to be July 4th and I noticed that Parisians were wearing their countries colors on that day. How stupid would I look, if I complained and said it was offensive to me because it's the 4th of July in the United States? No one stopped them from observing Cinco de Mayo, some boys wore American colors, no rights were violated. Get a grip!!
How stupid you guys look by making the corrective action of a High School a big deal following the agenda a racist Republican party against Mexicans.
You guys act as Zombies (A zombie is a mindless human being).
please do not let the right wing media wash your brain.
You know, i dont think the school handled this well at all.
But reading what so many of you wanna-be pistol-packing arm-chair "patriots" have to say is far more infuriating.
Look, I dont think ANY of you have the slightest clue what youth violence is like, or what incites it. Thanks to being raised by irrational nincompoops like yoursleves, your kids learn to fight with each other on the basis of colored clothing. You've taught them to be that way. Dont think being white (or brown, or whatever) makes you an exception. You adults are fomenting racial strife, and you are posturing your kids to take the fall for it.
The principal did not act correctly, but I am sure he was trying to diffuse a charge that those 4 boys were deliberately setting. I've seen far too many meat-head teenagers (with not a little encouragement from their meat-head parents) use politics, religion, musical taste, degrees of masculinity or anything else as paper-thin on which to base a fevered fight.
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