LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2009 - An estimated 200 students walked out of classes today at Venice High to support the their teachers and demonstrate against continuing budget cuts and teacher lay offs. They hung banners from some of the buildings and chanted, “books not bombs” and “save our school” among other chants.
Students chose not to leave the campus after threats of arrest by the school administrators and the police. Instead they staged a demonstration on the front lawn of the campus.
The school principal and the police were very hostile towards members of the press who were trying to cover the demonstration. The students chanted, “free the press” while reporters were getting harassed and pushed off campus by the authorities.
