Name: Student who wore Mexican flag at graduation speaks out after getting diploma
Uploaded: 2021-06-07T11:26:00-0400
Duration: 1527316
Description: An Asheboro student speaks out about being denied his diploma for wearing a Mexican flag to graduation.

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An Asheboro student speaks out about being denied his diploma for wearing a Mexican flag to graduation.

you Gar al con esto uh regular first of all. Thank you everyone for being here and for all the love and support that you have given us. We're here today to try to get to the bottom of this and find a solution to be able to make change. I also want to share a little bit about what happened on thursday, thomas. Benny thomas and the receiving diplomacy. We came here on thursday with so much pride and ready to get the diploma of my, of my son. Yes. Super tornadoes. Carson hombre um aumento and I'll kill for the tornado Francella principles sent imus began to we were so proud the instant we heard his name being called, until we saw him approach the principal where he was stopped and we instantly got choked up. No trace. Elemental padi Mohsen explication. The principal respectable. Okay, paso el super Visa. We're only we're only asking for an explanation from the principal about the incidents that happened on thursday. Yeah. Explication report sculptor. Los policias PCO Ron explanation as to how things were handled and even while we were escorted out by police officers because what happened on thursday isn't just about my son, it's about our entire latino community ever. Travel hotel, Alanya Maduro para obtener diploma. Ellison diplomas. That's the memento ever has worked so hard for four years to get this diploma Until this day. He is a graduate without a diploma. You know, familiar amazon or Moselle wins the races and as parents, we are so proud that he has taken on the honor and pride of where, where his roots and where he comes from. The momentum goon. No other than England. Explication Chancellor. They can also directamente con ellos. Up until now we have not received an explanation from the school. You can also try podium Osirak sillas quail a podium, Kennedy school propublica Federal Diploma in public. Oh, what we're asking for is for a public apology and to be able to receive the diploma for a, is all offense. And another master and postgraduate does the, uh, opportunity, the salary and diploma diploma printed status because it wasn't just my son that she offended, but our students here, um, and she has the opportunity today to be able to give us the diploma and give us an apology cambio la Proxima. We're also asking for a change in the dress code policy for the graduation for next year to express our, because we believe that any student, wherever they're from has a right to be able to express themselves and where they come from and the roots. And while we wait to hear back from the school, we will be celebrating this ceremony. We will be having our own ceremony ceremony for students to study those videos is for parti de la Familia knowing running goon Amenaza, neon star most populous in europe. Any crooks. And one thing that I want to be able to clarify is that from our family, we do not agree with any threats or harassment that have been made on this beautiful institution or on principle crooks, you know, so and so and we are very grateful for all those that have rendered their support. Amico Pacifica wagon economy. Nasa's, we would like to encourage all students that want to celebrate their heritage and support ever to be able to do so in a non violent way. Claro weirdo valencia. And to be clear, we're not in agreeance with any violence. No Queremos valencia Pacifica mental Papademos diploma Domenico. And what we are asking for is the Diploma of Ever. Thank you. Thank you so much margarita. And so as margarita just mentioned, we're going to be here today and we're gonna be trying to get the diploma from Principal Crooks. We're gonna be asking for an explanation and apology as well as for a meeting to sit down to be able to work with her, to be able to change the dress code. And now I would like to introduce Chip Faust who is the president of the local, the NaACP here in Randolph County. Thank you. Mhm. Thank you. Mhm. Hello everyone, let me be one of the first to um well let me let me publicly congratulate ever being a graduate of Aspro high school. Yeah, The reason that the Naacp is here today and so basically for three reasons one is because we want to let everyone knows that we stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone in our community who is trying to be silenced. And so when individuals try to make political points by trying to threaten or trying to scare people away from making their voice heard, the p stands with you to say, your voice will be heard, You will not be silenced. And that's why one of the reasons why we're here today. Another reason that we're here today is because we also why we why we support and we advocate that ever is right to free speech must be supported. We also say that we stand shoulder to shoulder against anyone who would threaten violence on dr crooks. We've looked over the last two days since this happened, we've gotten tons of phone calls from individuals working in the school system, individuals who went to the school system, who talked about the different ways that dr crooks has helped individuals in the minority community. And we say that threats of violence not only will not be accepted, they are destructive to whatever point whatever is trying to make. Because individuals who don't want to talk about the big issue, the issue of being able to honor your heritage will cloud the subject because they want to talk about threats of violence. So we don't get to talk about what we should be talking about because someone made a threat. We stand with dr crooks, that that's not acceptable and that we will not stand by and be silent as people try to do this. And the third thing I want to talk about is that I've had the opportunity to talk with individuals in the administration, individuals with Sandra, and I'm telling you one of the good things is they don't seem like the sides are too far apart. I really believe that when they sit down and they talk, they're going to come to a very just and very equitable resolution very quickly. Because so much of what both sides want is the same thing. But we have to understand the background behind this, the history behind what has created this this this this turmoil. Many people saw what happened to ever. And it struck a chord in them because it reminded them of bad situations they had as a minority at this school years ago. So what I want to say to the administration is thank you for the work that you're doing for, the work that we've heard about over the last few days to try and build a more equitable and inclusive um situation. Thank you for that. But let's not fool ourselves and think that the job is done, we have a lot of work left to do. And I say with the A. C. P. And I'm sure I can say with this family and with remember we're here to help you do that work we're here to help you move forward. Another thing that we have to look at when you look at the background of how this happened, you have to look at what the state of north Carolina is trying to do the minority votes to the minority voices in this. In this state we have a state that hired or paid for data to look at how black people voted and then passed laws to suppress that vote. The on our own state board of elections says that if the voter I. D. Law have been enacted over 300,000 people living in north Carolina who are legally able to vote would have been denied that vote over 300,000 people. Over a third of them. Over 100,000 of them Would have been black men and women with black people make up only about 20% of the population. But we have been 30% or more of the people hit. That's not an accident when you will accept as legal ID a hunting license, but you will not accept as legal ID uh student I. D. From a historically black college and university. That's not an accident. That's what the background that created this situation. So that when people saw the video, they also saw that when you as a state want to cut out sunday voting Because you know that black people make up 70% of the people who voted on Sundays with souls to the polls. It's not an accident that those things happen. And the reason that they happen is the reason why the community looked at the situation the way that they did. So I want to make sure that people understand that this didn't happen in a vacuum. This happened in a state that is systematically trying to take voting rights away from minorities. And we're at the A. C. P. Will not stand still will not be quiet. We will work arm in arm with our friends in the latino community to make sure all voices are heard and all votes accounted. Thank you very much. What? Okay. Okay. Mhm. At the end of the list. Thank you. Chip Faust very powerful statement. We will now be going into the school to try to get the diploma of Ever Lopez with the family. Uh We asked that folks that would like an interview with the family with ever with Chip or whoever else here today. Um Wait until we come out hopefully with the diploma. Thank you so much. Mhm. Making Yeah. Being immediately. Thank you. Yeah. Now I think, I think, I think you come off water. Okay. Mhm. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Let me with the government. We're gonna try and get some shots of, Yeah. Yeah. He wanted guy. How are you ready here? Trying to Okay. Thanks. Yeah. By the way the girl kissed it actually. Okay. Morning going. Yeah. With so much. Right? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. What? Mhm. And hi, we should have. Mhm. Yeah. So yeah, totally awesome. You hear? Yeah. Mhm. It's, what's your name? Mhm. Actually, and it, No, that's you get it. Yeah. Yeah. Is the momentum percent of different practice points entering the global whatsoever. Yeah. Putting up each coma. Okay, proud of your site for her son. Yeah. Really? We're not was, well, we have the diploma diploma and it's not just average diploma. It's our of our diplomas and our communities. Diplomas. Mm Many crooks. I'm very grateful to dr penny crooks studies podesta as look at possible questions because she has agreed to meet with parents and students to talk more about what happened thursday and how to address change studies, cuesta Clara Atlanta, but again, and we will keep moving forward so that this does not happen to any other student. Mhm. Who do you have any questions there? Yeah, we can take some questions. How are you feeling? What I'm feeling? So grateful now that I got what I deserved, you know, uh like I said, I'm grateful that I got what I deserved, you know, and like my mom said, it's not just mine, it's everybody, The whole community that was with me, they had my back and you know, it really means a lot that we made it, you know, but it's not eating here, we're gonna keep fighting. How did you feel about your meeting with the principal? Um I felt, I felt calm, you know, I had my head high, I knew that I was going to go in there and like uh fight hard for it and at the end, you know, we came out with it. Yeah. What did you talk about with? We just addressed everything. Like we asked her for her an explanation of why it happened and all that and we just talked about that and um we addressed all the threads and all that and that we told you were going to be shorter, the shorter with her if it doesn't stop because that's not right and we do not condone it. Um one thing is the support, but the reds and all that is not what we want and that's the only thing we support her with. You know, they the district had said you were in violation of the dress code policy. Do you feel that you did violate? And do you regret anything about that night? No, I don't think that should be a question. I don't regret. Nothing. There is also a video footage that shows that you are wearing the flag earlier in the ceremony before you went up on stage. Did she address like why she asked you to take it off while you were on stage and not before? Um, No, she didn't know. I think she did. Yeah. Did she tell you why she was withholding to the almost? Um, Yeah, because it was a consequence basically. And it was like she said again violating the dress code, but I don't see the reason for that. The district has said that the diploma has been available since friday. Did they contact you to let you know it was available and wanted to take, they didn't contact me. They contact my parents. But um, she didn't really like give a brief explanation of like how to come pick it up. She just like photos to go pick it up. But you know, we didn't really want to just get it like that. We wanted all of all of you and everybody, the whole community watch me get it. You know, the district is said obviously it was in violation of dress code, but do you believe that if this were a different flag, an american flag or any other type of flag, you think this incident played out the same way? Um, Yes and no, because I mean, I don't know. I feel like I feel like every flags the same, you know, we all get to represent what we want, but um, you know, we all have different opinions on what things are, you know, so I feel like it would have played out the same, but just a little bit more different, you know, standing here with your diploma in hand, how do you feel what the body? Well, like I said, it's not gonna stop here. You know, we're gonna keep fighting. Hopefully we make a big change later on in the future and hopefully with those changes, big opportunities come and help us get up there. You know, did you indicate whether the dress code could be changed after she says she was going to re evaluate it yet and hopefully it does change and were allowed to wear whatever we want and don't have to get told something. We know that your parents came here from Mexico to provide a better life for you. And you talked about how important it was for you to wear the mexican flag. What was it like to do when you see your parents faces to know that you have your diploma means it means the world to me because they're the ones that really wanted it for me. And like, and like I said, I did it for them and I feel really grateful now that I have it because like I fought for it. They fought for it real hard and it just means the world to me. You know, they mean the world to me going into graduation. Um what did you understand was the dress code policy for that event Because the policy does state that you're not supposed to take anything else under your gown, only your stole and your cap. What was your understanding of that policy? And do you believe you violated? Um I feel like, I mean the only thing that I knew about was just how to go dress, you know, like just how to wear a shirt, pants, shoes and all that. But I mean I don't, I don't think I violated anything. I just did what I had to do. You know, what was it that you have just represent where my flag at show my colors. Okay, let me ask you this again. He pointed this out as well. But do you think if you had been wearing an american flag, this would have turned into an issue? Like I said earlier, man, I don't think uh like yes and no, but it would probably came out a different outcome. You know, we would have been the same. Like all the communities aren't the same. You know, like some people wouldn't have supported like another flag, but with all this community we made a big cause you know, so how important is that to see this community rally around you? I mean I know you didn't set out to have become a big issue, but now to see this galvanizes Yeah, it's crazy because like I said like I didn't expect none of this. You know, it's just captain out of nowhere, but at the same time I'm grateful, you know, knowing that I have a big community behind me and that we're all in this together, you know, and we'll never walk alone. Was there an explanation as to why the police was called? Um No she um she didn't answer any of that, but supposedly she's going to talk with my parents about that. So I'm not sure about what would you say to those that did send the emails saying that they wanted to harm the principal or the school? That's just straight stupid. Like you shouldn't have been done because uh, we don't do none of that. And all we do here is love and support, you know, and to all those who did that is just straight straight. Um, it's bad. You know, they shouldn't have done it and I hope they either, they don't have to apologize, but at least I hope they feel bad. Don't do it again. And I think we talked about just how important that diploma. But can you just tell us a little bit more about that? Because I know my parents also came from Mexico works very hard and it means really a lot to get a diploma will be a little bit about the hardships your family went through and why this signifies so much. Well, I mean, like I said, like, we're like, as you all know, you know, there are immigrants, They came over here to give me a better future. And um, You know, I felt real hard. All 12 years of high school basically. Or not high school like school, you know? Um, and I feel like all my hard work really paid off and I really deserve this, you know, and just like I deserve it. Everyone deserves it. What are your plans for after high school? Um, mm Well, I'm not sure now, you know, now that this is happening because, you know, with all this stuff going on, you know, there's bigger opportunities heading my way and, you know, hopefully one of them comes and, you know, it changes everything Big financial role in college or anything like that. Um, honestly not, not right now. Have you felt about all of the posts on social media and tobacco? This? Um, like I said, you know, it's so crazy. Like I just didn't expect none of it one day. It was just like, oh man, I think my diploma next day, it's like, oh, protest news interviews, um, support from all over the world, international news. Um, and so much to take in. You know, what does it say under the floor. It just says the National High school north Carolina, my name and then being known that ever Martinez Lopez, having a status for satisfactorily completed all requirements of State Board of Administration and the National City Board of Education and is therefore entitled to this diploma. Whoa, okay. This is something that looks

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I'm meteorologist, Kat Campbell in the wr a severe weather center. No more thirties in the forecast and we don't have a frost threat tonight so you can leave your plants be, temperatures are falling into the upper forties to lower fifties overnight. We've got a different wind direction and some more clouds that will fill in by daybreak tomorrow at the bus stop, it'll be in the low to mid fifties for most of the kids out there. So a mild start, but you may want to send your kids to school with an umbrella because by the time they head home, some of us are going to be dealing with a chance for rain during the afternoon. It's all due to this cold front. Approaching from the northwest. There's not a lot of moisture for the front to work with, but just enough and enough lift to squeeze out some rain. I think that rain chances would start in our northwestern counties around 11 a.m. through lunchtime. And then that chance is really closer to, to three o'clock here in the triangle. But that might be when the kids are heading home as we get toward 456. It would be south and east of the triangle with the best chance for rain. Rocky Mount, Southern Pines. I'm thinking you'll be in that 3 to 5 p.m. time frame for rain. It's not going to be a very heavy rain. There is a small chance of a thunderstorm embedded, but most of us will just see some pretty light rain. In fact, models are showing less than 5/100 of an inch of rain. So very tiny rainfall amounts from this event. We do have the Durham Bulls in town this week. And luckily the forecast looks good for all of their home games. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We've just got wonderful baseball weather. Temperatures will be near 70 for the first pitches and the rain should be over in Durham, the triangle by the time we get to dinner time for tomorrow evening, which means it's likely to be a dry game for us. Your seven day forecast show, some big changes are on the way though. We've got 74 for the high Wednesday with chance for rain Thursday just 72. So a small dip in our high temperatures more noticeable at night though we fall into the upper forties Thursday night to Friday morning, we're going with 47 as the low Friday morning around the triangle. And then once we get to the weekend temperatures begin to rebound. However, that will come with an increasing cloud cover mostly cloudy Saturday and Sunday. But back in the eighties by Sunday and even warmer next week, highs could climb near 90 a week from today.

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Student who wore Mexican flag at graduation speaks out after getting diploma

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