Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA: Organizers of Cancel the Contract and concerned parents of students at various high schools throughout the Antelope Valley converged on Highland High School in Palmdale Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m. to voice their concerns regarding the unjust treatment of Black students and students of color, along with mistreatment of students with disabilities in the AV Union High School District. This issue was said to have been going on for several years and Cancel the Contract-Antelope Valley announced today the beginning stages of a lawsuit.
Cancel the Contract-Antelope Valley, a grass roots organization consisting of community partners looking to reimagine school safety and school based law enforcement, feel litigation is the only way forward to address these long-standing concerns from students, parents and the community.
The press conference included protestors with signs clearly expressing those frustrations along with an introduction by the co-founder followed by speakers from the organization.
The lead attorney with the Neighborhood of Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) who filed the lawsuit, stated at the press conference that the lawsuit was filed, May 24, 2023, and was in the making for four years.
The attorney said that the policies, practices and value defy the educational obligation in both the California constitution and federal and state law, and catastrophically failed to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for thousands of students every year leading to loss of instructional time, and a host of emotional and physical issues.
“Today the district can no longer continue its unlawful practices without consequence and without accountability,” she said.
The co-chair of Cancel the Contract-Antelope Valley, said they have been attending the AV Union School District board meetings faithfully. The audience was always filled with concerned students and parents, and their letters to the board concerning racial incidents and disparities with discipline acts taken against Black students as well as mistreatment of disabled students.
The AV Union High School District said in a press release that the district “remains committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all members of our community. Discrimination, in any form, is contrary to our core values and will not be tolerated.”
“We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, irrespective of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Our district is dedicated to upholding the principles of fairness, equity, and justice, and we actively work to eliminate discriminatory practices and promote understanding among our community.
We strive to ensure that our schools, programs, and activities are free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. This commitment extends to students, staff members, parents, guardians, and visitors. We are firmly resolved to provide an inclusive educational environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.
If any member of our community experiences or witnesses any form of discrimination, we encourage them to report it promptly to the appropriate authorities within the district,” the release stated.
The district also said that they are “committed to providing ongoing training and resources to our staff members and students to enhance awareness and understanding of issues related to discrimination, diversity, and inclusion. By fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and acceptance, we believe we can create a positive and nurturing educational community for all.”
A link to the Cancel the Contract- Antelope Valley website can be found here .
Key News Network will be providing updates as this lawsuit moves along.
Anthony Cheval, Video Journalist / KNN
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