ADVISORY: McClatchy High School students cancel Cinco de Mayo event, hold protest

ADVISORY: McClatchy High School students cancel Cinco de Mayo event, hold protest


URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Contact: Cinthya Munoz-916-949-4217 Jocelyn-916-203-1354 Olivia
916-549-5957

Attention: News Desk

Students at embattled McClatchy High School
say they will cancel Cinco de Mayo event, hold Friday
protest after administrators fail to ‘value' annual assembly

SACRAMENTO – Latino students at embattled McClatchy High School – where
administrators are already facing questions after a gun incident – said
today the school has "not valued" the traditional Cinco de Mayo event and
as a result the celebration has been canceled.

Instead, student leaders said they will hold a protest at McClatchy High
School's main entrance Friday at 3:30 p.m. as a "Day of Recognition." They
are asking members of the community to join them.

"For generations, the 5 de Mayo assembly has been an event we have taken
great pride in organizing...to educate our school and community about our
culture. We have been informed that we do not have access to our school
auditorium as usual. This decision by the administration sent the message
our event was not valued," said the Cinco de Mayo
Student Committee.

In "negotiations" with the administration, the teacher club sponsors and
students were given options other than the school auditorium, including
outside, half the stage and the floor beneath the auditorium. All were
characterized as "patronizing" by the students.

-30-