Los Angeles Charter Students Claim School Segregated Them Over Unvaccinated Status

Los Angeles charter school students say they felt “segregated” and “discriminated against” because they were unvaccinated and trying to attend class. The parents and students have officially filed a lawsuit to stop the vaccine mandate at New West Charter School.

The school implemented a vaccine mandate for students after winter break, and so far, 96% of the school’s population is vaccinated. Those that are not vaccinated are asked to leave. Instead of leaving, the six students who did not follow the new policy attempted to enter classes.

Let Them Breathe organization shared images and videos on Twitter of students allegedly segregated by caution tape and kept behind barriers.

“The students proceeded to stage a sit-in directly behind designated areas for student PCR screenings on campus which was cordoned off with tape,” the school said in response. “New West Charter School administration notified local authorities who came to campus and helped alleviate the disruption.”

The school said parents were informed back in October of the vaccine mandate saying all students would need to provide proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test to be allowed on campus “just like every indoor establishment in Los Angeles is doing.”

Unvax students at New West Charter LA segregated behind barriers & not allowed to attend class. They asked for chairs, were denied & are sitting on the pavement, not allowed to even use restroom. LAPD is on site but not intervening. Litigation from Let Them Choose already pending pic.twitter.com/5G9reERNi0

— LET THEM BREATHE (@letthem_breathe) January 18, 2022

Founder of Let Them Breathe, Sharon McKeeman, says, “female students were segregated, harassed, and threatened with suspension just for trying to participate in their classes, and we will prove in court that this unjust and unlawful.” 

New West Charter informed parents of the upcoming vaccine mandate in October 2021, and parents were aware of other options.

It didn’t stop the incident from escalating, though. Students staged a sit-in directly behind PCR screenings. Local authorities responded to the school but did not intervene. Let Them Breathe filed a lawsuit against the school, “arguing that they are violating state law by mandating this new vaccine, not allowing personal belief exemptions, and segregating and denying unvaccinated students their education.” 

The lawsuit also claims that New West Charter violated the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. 

Fox News released the New West Charter Governance Council statement after the events last Tuesday. 

“With 96% of students at New West Charter vaccinated, it is clear the vast majority of parents support the vaccination policy. While we are extremely disappointed in the actions of a small group of families who do not support the vaccination policy, the council and NWC parents believe it is the right thing to do for all our students.” 

The council says that parents actually asked for the vaccine policy. 

“It is unfortunate that individuals not affiliated with the school are using our children for their political gain.”