First Fatality of School Walk-outs
“We have to let the schools know that they can’t punish our children for exercising their rights.â€
Eighth grader shot himself after the assistant principal at his middle school told him that he was going to prison for three years because of his involvement as an organizer of school walk-outs.
14 yr. old is likely first fatality arising from school walk-outs
Eighth grader Anthony Soltero shot himself through the head on Thursday, March 30, after the assistant principal at De Anza Middle School told him that he was going to prison for three years because of his involvement as an organizer of the April 28 school walk-outs to protest the anti-immigrant legislation in Washington. The vice principal also forbade Anthony from attending graduation activities and threatened to fine his mother for Anthony’s truancy and participation in the student protests.
Anthony’s death is likely the first fatality arising from the protests against the immigration legislation being considered in Washington, D.C. Anthony, who was a very good student at De Anza Middle School in the Ontario-Montclair School District, believed in justice and was passionate about the immigration issue. He is survived by his mother, Louise Corales, his father, a younger sister, and a baby brother.
“Anthony was learning about the importance of civic duties and rights in his eighth grade class. Ironically, he died because the vice principal at his school threatened him for speaking out and exercising those rights,†Ms. Corales said today. “I want to speak out to other parents, whose children are attending the continuing protests this week. We have to let the schools know that they can’t punish our children for exercising their rights.â€
Anthony’s funeral and burial are scheduled for Monday, April 10, 2006, at 9:30 a.m., STRICKLAND & SNIVERY, 1953 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90806.
CONTACTS:
R. SAMUEL PAZ: Weekend (310) 989-6815; Office (310) 410-2981
SONIA MERCADO: Weekend (310 210-4445; Office (310) 410-2981
E-mail: samuelpaz@MSN.com
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I am shocked and apalled by the way this vice principle chose to deal with student. Instead of counseling him, he threatened him with a prison sentence or punishing his mother with fines. Obviously the assistant principle is not really in touch with how the emotions of adolecsents work.
This boy was passionate about his heritage, was eager to learn the politics of this country,and his rights as a human being living in American Society. In todays world it is more likely for a kid his age to be passionate about drugs, his "Homies", being a "Thug" and thinks going to jail is a trophy of sorts.
How dare this Asst. Principle not only crush this boys spirit but he left him with a feeling of hopelesness for his future as a latino man. He led him to believe what he was being taught in his classroom was a lie. He showed him that he had no rights or future because he himself as a role model was already violating his civil rights and threatening his family.
this is truly a tragedy and my heart goes out to his parents and I hope they pursue this matter and stand up for what their son was so passionate about.
Please tell me the asst. principle has been relieved of his duty because he is in fact a danger to our childrens and their future.