Hundreds of students from three different Eastside high schools took to the streets of Los Angeles Friday on a mile-long march to City Hall to protest LAUSD’s lack of transparency in the removal of Mendez High School’s principal, as well as budget cuts at other local high schools.
With signs reading “Keeping Us in the Dark is not Safe,” students headed across 1st Street bridge, and into downtown, ending on the City Hall steps. The crowd, which included students from Roosevelt and Lincoln high schools, as well as some parents, gathered for about two hours.
Students are demanding LAUSD let them know why Mauro Bautista, the Mendez High School principal, has been absent from campus for over a month. Other students told Boyle Heights Beat they are fed up with budget cuts that directly affect their education and community.
The march is the result of days of campus demonstrations and meetings with district officials that left the Mendez High School community with more questions than answers.
Bautista, a longtime Boyle Heights resident, became Mendez’s assistant principal in 2009 before being promoted to principal in 2011.
On the steps of City Hall, protesters were heard chanting, “When the Eastside is under attack what do we do? Stand up and fight back.”
Our reporter Andrew Lopez was on the scene to document the march.
A student leads the crowd of Mendez students out of the school on Friday morning. Photo by Andrew Lopez. 
Students began their walk to city hall shortly after 11 a.m. Friday. Photo by Andrew Lopez. 
Mendez students protested the sudden removal of their principal a month ago. Photo by Andrew Lopez. 
Parents were present at the protest to support students with water and snacks. Photo by Andrew Lopez. 
A parent holds a sign during the Friday afternoon protest. Photo by Andrew Lopez. 
Students hold signs and banners demanding for more transparency from LAUSD. Photo by Andrew Lopez. 
A student raises her fist at the steps of city hall. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Good to see Eastside students rising. ✊?