05/10/2008

By JESSIE BONNER  / Associated Press

A student was arrested and security tightened at a southern Idaho high school in a week of racial tension that began when a teacher confiscated the Mexican flag of a student celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

Student protests and counterprotests, faculty sanctions, desecration of Mexican and American flags and threats of legal action have rocked Minico High School in Rupert, a town of 5,600 people near the Snake River.

As a precaution, security was increased Friday when about 40 students planned a protest over school administration treatment of two teachers at the center of the controversy.

During the demonstration, a male student was arrested after being accused of threatening violence on school grounds, Minidoka County sheriff's Deputy Vic Watson said.

"It was a verbalization that he made that upset other students," Watson said.

No other arrests or disturbances were reported before classes ended for the weekend, authorities said.

Emotions rose Monday when Clint Straatman, a physical education teacher, threw in the garbage a Mexican flag brought to school by Froylan Camelo, 16, to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, a celebration of Mexico's victory over the French army in 1862.

Straatman said he was trying to prevent any animosity between white and Hispanic students, who account for nearly 40 percent of enrollment in the Minidoka County Joint School District.

Contacted by the American Civil Liberties Union, Camelo said he was considering whether to sue the teacher. The next day, Hispanic students protested and drew a counterprotest from some of their non-Hispanic classmates.

Later in the week, Dan Luker, who teaches English as a second language, reportedly damaged an American flag in front of a school administrator. Some said he acted in retaliation to Straatman's behavior and a show of support for the schools Hispanic students.

"We have asked the whole matter be investigated," Prosecutor Nicole Cannon told The Associated Press on Friday. "They are somewhat connected."

Both teachers have been placed on administrative leave, but emotions among students remained high.

School officials would not comment on disciplinary measures, citing a policy barring discussion of personnel matters, adding that the investigation of Straatman was continuing.

Hispanic and non-Hispanic students also traded words throughout the week, freshman Nes Ramirez said, adding that he and others received a text message stating: "Go back to Mexico."

Ramirez, 15, helped organize the protest Friday morning, also using text messages and urging supporters to wear the red, green and white colors of the Mexican flag.

Some protests during the week drew a mix of students, but the message Friday was directed at the school district's response.

Ben Reed, a personality on local Spanish station KFTA-AM, urged students earlier in the week to silently protest by wearing colors of the Mexican flag.

"I believe it was an injustice," Reed said. "I would have hoped it would have been resolved a lot sooner."