http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_3653115

Protesters face tickets for truancy
$165 fines to be handed out
By Tracy Garcia Staff Writer

WHITTIER - Local students who attempt to leave campus to participate in protests during school hours will not only face hefty consequences at school but from local police as well, authorities said Wednesday.
Beginning today, Whittier police will hand out $165 truancy tickets to any student out of class who is protesting on the streets during school hours - even if they have parental permission to protest.

Then, police spokesman Jason Zuhlke said, those students will be transported back to their school.

"We're partnering with the Whittier Union High School District on this," Zuhlke said. "The education code doesn't recognize protesting as an excused absence, so we're not going to recognize any students with off-campus permits either."

Student safety is the main reason that school officials and law enforcement are taking a stand against the daylong protests, which have taken place three times in the past week.

"The thing is, if students are going to be out there, they can't block the highways or streets," Zuhlke said. "We're concerned for their safety."

School officials said any student given a truancy ticket will be required to attend Saturday school to make up for missed class time. And any unexcused absence means students will not be allowed to make up any class assignments they missed.

The truancy fine begins at $165 for the first offense, and increases with each additional offense, Zuhlke said.

"We respect their right to protest - but because of their situation and obligation to be in school, we respect the right for them to protest when they're not in school," he added.

tracy.garcia@sgvn.com