Oct 21, 2008 7:36 pm US/Eastern
Hempstead High On Guard Following 2 Days Of Brawls
Principal: 100 of School's 1,600 Students Involved; Dozens Suspended And Undercover Cops Take Over Building
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBS) ―
A Long Island school was on guard on Tuesday after two days of fighting led to dozens of suspensions at Hempstead High School. District officials took action against the troublemakers, fearing the violence would escalate.
They held up their suspension notices like badges of honor. One dozen Hempstead High students kicked out Tuesday, separated themselves by racial and ethnic affiliation.
"I am just trying to defend myself and my friends. That's it. I don't know if it is racial," suspended student Brian Gomez said.
Added Johnathan Vega: "They be groupin' up, and I just had to defend my people and that's what I do."
Suspended Jhakim Morrison blamed the school for the incident.
"No security in there … everybody for themselves," Morrison said. "What do you expect … a bunch of Hispanic kids coming at a bunch of black kids."
Following two days of fighting that spiraled out of control, and the cancelling of the homecoming pep rally, police from Hempstead Village and undercover officers from Nassau County Police joined school security in returning peace to the school on Tuesday, patrolling the campus perimeter and walking the hallways, quelling another day of confrontation.
"A large number of students in this school are good and decent young ladies and gentlemen and we're not going to tolerate 40 students making it bad for the others," said Hempstead School District Superintendent Joseph Laria.
The fight was instigated not by race, but by a plastic bottle that was thrown at a girl.
"I saw a Snapple bottle throw … then jumping on each other, hitting each other," Cindy Moreno said.
Moreno said the bottle was an excuse to rumble -- pent up frustration since the stabbing death of a student here last January on the handball court.
"We should have more security things going on inside the school," suspended student Peccini Pericles said. "It is crazy and hectic."
"They're trying to keep everyone in peace," said suspended Chris Rivera. "I'm trying to graduate. It is my last year."
The principal said the fights involved about 100 of the 1,600 students here. The principal is assuring parents that the trouble is over, and education is the priority.
Teachers in class Tuesday told students to focus on positive dreams for their futures, reminding them the governor of New York is a Hempstead high grad and that a minority is running for president.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Halle Berry: Then & Now
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments