Print
Apr 4, 2008 6:24 am US/Central
Anti-Violence Rally Brings Violent Scuffles
Fights Reported At George Washington
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
A half dozen or so scuffles broke out Thursday amid a chanting, sign-waving crowd protesting violence at George Washington High School on the Far South Side.
For a short time, it was a chaotic scene outside the school, 3535 E. 114th St., as groups of teens fled from the violence or ran toward it, apparently to get a better view.
No one was injured or arrested, police said.
The crowd of students and parents came to protest a recent surge in violence at the school.
Police say the violence appears to be gang-related.
Many in the crowed blamed the school's new principal, Florence Gonzalez, saying she unwisely got rid of two administrators who knew the students and could control the unrest.
The parents had hoped to meet with Gonzalez on Thursday, but a note posted on the school's front doors said the meeting had been postponed until Tuesday.
Some parents said there have been violent incidents, mostly fistfights, at the high school every day this week.
"My daughter is terrified," said Elizabeth Sabalu, whose daughter is a junior. "She doesn't want to come to school any more."
A George Washington teacher who didn't want his name used said gang tensions plagued the school long before Gonzalez arrived.
"We've got a large gang population, and there are too many gangs," he said.
The teacher said the worst violence occurred Tuesday, when four or five fights broke out in school.
Police said security would be beefed up inside and outside the school Friday.
A Chicago Public Schools spokesman acknowledged discord between some parents and Gonzalez.
In her first weeks on the job, Gonzalez didn't renew the contracts of 10 non-tenured teachers, spokesman Mike Vaughn said.
"We want our principals talking to all of our parents; we're going to try and facilitate that, and we hope things are going to get better," Vaughn said.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Video: CBS 2's Picks To Click
