Subject: Mexican Flag Lawsuit
Dear Joni:
I would like to share with you the events that led up to my pursuing a lawsuit against the Sacramento City Unified School District and Washington Elementary School in Sacramento, please keep in mind that Washington is a public school:
1.In May or June of 2007-We attend a family night at the school. UC Davis partnered with the school to put on an informative medical film. We were offended to learn that the only children that were permitted to take part
in the film were Mexican children from the school with a Mexican parent. To make matters worse, they only spoke Spanish in the film with no English translation of any kind. I complained but the Principal and most of the school's administrative personnel are Mexican and "brushed me off".
2. October 2007-I attended a School Site Counsel Meeting. During the first part of the meeting the Principal, Antonio Medrano spoke English then would translate to Spanish. Then he spoke only in Spanish latter in
the meeting. When I motioned to him that I didn't understand, he ignored me.
3. The START program at the school has a monthly store. They would only sell Mexican Flags and had no American Flags. START is funded by the City of Sacramento and contracts out with the school. But Principal Medrano was aware of this and did nothing. Several classrooms would have only one American flag and several Mexican flags.
4. December 2007- A class at the school for Mexican children only, that are supposed to be learning English, came out and performed two songs both in Spanish.
5. The District is facing teacher and budget cuts, yet they will pay translators to come to events such as open house. In my daughter's class alone the District paid a translator for two Mexican moms who claimed they
didn't speak or understand English, yet both of these mothers had children and a husband that spoke English. Plus, the Mexican parents demand that their children are taught in Spanish too. No other ethnic group at the
school does this.
6. May 2008-A class was performing songs from School House Rock, they had the Mexican Flag flying over the American flag on several of the childrens' poles, plus they had almost as many Mexican flags as the
American. Some may say that they were trying to show that the United States is a "melting pot", but we also have Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Canadian at the school, none of these flags were displayed.
7. When I complained of being treated differently than the Hispanics to the District on two different occasions, I was suspended from coming on campus for 14 days each suspension. I have been a parent at this school
for the last 5 years and have never had a problem until I complained. A Mexican father came onto the campus with the F*** word spelled out in big letters on his shirt, Principal Medrano saw and said nothing to him.
This is just the tip of the iceberg as to what goes on at this school, but I think the most heart breaking is the lack of respect that is shown for the US flag.
I would sit and just be furious over all this thinking there was nothing I could do. Everyone would tell me to move my children out of the school. But that is the problem, why should we move and let this go on!?! NO
WAY!! We are standing our ground and going to fight this! I contacted an attorney whom I have known for several years by the name of Erik Child of Child & Gordon in Folsom, CA. I explained to Mr. Child everything that was going on and he was shocked that this was happening. I didn't think that he would take this case but not only did he agree to represent me, he took the case Pro Bono. He is truly both a great American and attorney! Mr. Child will address all of the above in the lawsuit plus some other issues. We are asking that foreign flags be omitted from any public building with the exception of special events. I know that this will be a
tough battle but my heart is in this. I love my country and am very proud to be American. I am the divorced mother of six and grandmother of one, I want to preserve the American heritage for future generations. If there
is any kind of support your organization can provide my attorney with it would be greatly appreciated, even if it is just a letter of encouragement. I couldn't do this without him. Please let me know of any way I can support your organization as well. I also spoke with my fellow Philadelphian Joey Vento over his lawsuit and he has been very supportive. We should be filing shortly. Mr. Child's contact info is:
Erik E. Child, Esq.
Child and Gordon APLC
101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 250
Folsom, CA 95630
916-932-2170(office)
916-932-2171(Fax)
echild@childgordon.com
Again, it was a pleasure speaking with you today and I look forward to working together with you and the Minutemen!
Sincerely,
Lynne Booker
Sacramento,CA
