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LA charter school slammed for 'segregating' unvaxxed students behind caution tape

Video of the shocking practice was shared on social media by 'Let Them Breathe', an activist group that interviewed witnesses near the school

A Los Angeles public charter school has sparked an uproar after being accused of "segregating" unvaccinated children behind a barricade.

Video of the practice was shared on social media by 'Let Them Breathe', an activist group that interviewed witnesses near the school. The organization was founded by parents in response to California's K–12 student mask mandates and advocates for mask-choice for all students regardless of their vaccination status. In a lawsuit against the school, LTB states that "masking students is unnecessary, ineffective, and harmful to their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. LTB is concerned that mask requirements prevent children from engaging in a quality in-person education."

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“Unvax students at New West Charter LA segregated behind barriers & not allowed to attend class," Let Them Breathe shared on Twitter. “They asked for chairs, were denied & are sitting on the pavement, not allowed to even use the restroom. LAPD is on-site but not intervening. Litigation from Let Them Choose already pending.”

The group later alleged that the school's executive director Sharon Weir was threatening the students with suspension over the purported "disruption" they were causing. She reportedly instructed the children and their parents to leave the campus immediately. “New West Charter is now threatening to suspend peaceful unvax students who are in the parking lot for ‘disrupting school activities’ even though LAUSD suspended mandate and we beat SDUSD mandate,” the group continued. “Let Them Choose has litigation pending against New West mandate.”

The LAPD, who was present at the scene, did not appear to intervene. “Do not cross this line,” an officer is heard saying in the video, pointing to a yellow caution tape outside. “LAUSD suspended their unlawful vax mandate but this is how New West charter is treating unvax students, segregating them behind caution tape in the parking lot & denying them education,” the group added. “Let Them Choose already has litigation pending & we will strike down this mandate like SDUSD.”

LTB interviewed students who were being held outside the building. “We are being segregated from the rest of the school,” a girl identified only as Ann told the group. New West Charter School describes itself as a “free, independent, high-performing, public charter school" that is chartered by the State Board of Education and supervised by the Charter Schools Division of the California Department of Education.

Social media was inundated with criticisms of New West Charter School after scenes from the struggle went viral.

"This is what happens when you let radicals run the education system," one tweeted.

"Is the caution tape meant to protect the cops from the virus?" another wrote.

"Segregating these students is bad enough, but to put them behind caution tape barriers makes this a spectacle. These students are going through the most vulnerable time in their young lives & to be put on display like this is psychologically unacceptable!" a comment read.

"Commiefornia New West Charter School in Los Angeles @glinwc is run by communists who hate kids and freedom. What a hopeless place. History will not be kind to these horrible people," someone else added.

"Hold the line. Nobody has the right to force you to put something in your body that you don't want," another chimed in.