CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Fallout from lunchtime brawl at Sylmar High School
SYLMAR, Calif. (FOX 11) - One day after a massive fight broke out at Sylmar High School, some students involved in it stayed home.
But their parents didn't. They came to school demanding answers.
They say they want to know what the school is doing to prevent another brawl from happening again.
Students and parents say the fight, which involved about 40 teens, was motivated by racial tensions.
The school is 94% Hispanic and 3% African-American.
"At this time, most of our kids are not in school today, because of threats. Things circulating on social media that are impacting our kids," said parent Wendy Williams.
African American parents spoke to school officials Tuesday and say they don't feel the school, LAUSD and LAPD are properly addressing the problem.
"When we got here this morning, one hand didn't know what the other hand was doing," said Williams.
LAUSD superintendent Michelle King released a statement Tuesday morning that said:
"As head of the most diverse school district in the nation, let me be very clear: we will not tolerate targeting or violence of any kind in our campuses.
Regarding the recent conflict at Sylmar High School, law enforcement is continuing to investigate. All parents and guardians have been notified about the incident, and appropriate disciplinary action is being taken.
We want to reassure parents that the safety of all students and staff remains our top priority. Today, additional school police have been deployed to the school, along with extra administrative and support staff. Because this is an especially difficult time, additional counselors are also at Sylmar High School to provide emotional support for students and staff.
On a personal note, I want to express my concern about any student who was injured. I wish them a speedy recovery.
The bottom line is that all students are welcome at L.A. Unified schools."
But while the district says it's still investigating the brawl, critics wonder why more wasn't done to prevent it.
"Why is there nothing in place? This is not a new problem that started yesterday," said Gwendolyn Posey-Murray.
Parents say they are attending a meeting Wednesday at 6 at the school.
They say they hope to see elected officials, LAUSD reps and the LAPD there, especially because they feel like it's a lot of outside forces that could be impacting the students at the school.
(FOX 11 / CNS) Security was beefed up Tuesday at Sylmar High School in the aftermath of a lunchtime brawl that involved about 40 students.
"As the head of the most diverse school district in the nation, let me be very clear: We will not tolerate targeting or violence of any kind on our campuses," Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Michelle King
said in a statement.
"Regarding the recent conflict at Sylmar High School, law enforcement is continuing to investigate. All parents and guardians have been notified about the incident, and appropriate disciplinary action is being taken," King
said.
Monday's 20-minute brawl -- captured on cellphone video -- took a dozen officers to control. The fighting took place on the campus at 13050 Borden Ave.
"We want to reassure parents that the safety of all students and staff remains our top priority. Today, additional school police have been deployed to the school, along with extra administrative and support staff. Because this is an especially difficult time, additional counselors are also at Sylmar High School to provide emotional support for students and staff," King said.
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