Parents, students and community members gathered at a school board meeting Saturday to call for the reinstatement of a recently fired teacher at Synergy Quantum Academy in South Los Angeles.
Organizers argue that Ricardo Lopez was fired last month after he opened a locked campus gate to allow students to leave during a walkout protesting an ICE raid.
“To protect his students, he did what any responsible adult would do if he saw a child who was about to get hurt,” said Los Angeles Unified School District teacher Ron Gochez, who attended Saturday’s meeting. “He protected them by opening the door. The principal chose not to do the right thing, but he did. So instead of standing up for a teacher who was supporting and protecting his students, they fired him.”
The school disputes that claim.
Synergy Quantum Academy said in a statement to Eyewitness News that “to date, the school has received no reports of student injuries related to the student protests.”
Read the full statement below:
“In early February, the student body at Synergy Quantum College participated in a student-led protest on campus. School administrators were present throughout to monitor students and prioritize safety. To date, the school has received no reports of student injuries related to the student protests.
We respect students’ right to express themselves and understand that moments like this often reflect deep concerns. As a school, it is our responsibility to ensure that student expression is conducted in a manner that protects student safety and adheres to established campus protocols.
We have notified families and are aware of all students’ situations and are offering counselors and support staff for students who wish to talk or need additional support.
Synergy Quantum Academy is a public charter school located on the Los Angeles Unified School District campus. Synergy works with our school district partners to follow campus access and safety procedures as set forth in LAUSD policy to ensure the safety of students at both schools. In accordance with campus safety protocols, the decision as to whether a student may leave campus during the school day is made entirely by school administration.
We appreciate the cooperation of families and communities as we continue to support students, uphold their rights, and maintain a safe and orderly learning environment. “
