Parent choice groups are angry that unvaccinated Granada Hills Charter School seniors were excluded on graduation day instead of being allowed to walk the stage.
“Letters went out to parents in the form of emails that stated, ‘vaccinated entrance only,’” said Parisa Fishback, co-founder of Moms on the Ground. “The letter literally said ‘If you are unvaccinated, do not get out of your car. You will be handed your diploma in the parking lot. Stay in your vehicle.’ That is clearly reminiscent of Whites Only and Colored entrance around the back.”
Members of Moms on the Ground and Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Parents United rallied outside the high school in the San Fernando Valley on May 31.
“The objective was to get them to allow the students to walk on the following Thursday, which they did not do, so we didn't achieve the immediate goal but we did raise awareness,” Fishback told the Southern California Record.
Out of 1,100 seniors who graduated, 70 were unvaccinated, according to media reports, and the unvaccinated were advised to watch the June 2 event remotely.
“They were discriminated against and not allowed to participate in many school activities,” said Fishback, an attorney. “A lot of these kids are also special needs kids. They are Individualized Education Program (IEP) kids. They were in class side by side with vaccinated students because the law required that they be allowed to be in class and yet they were still not allowed to walk. There’s no logic in that.”
In a statement posted on their website, GHC alleged that 99% of their students, who are eligible to be vaccinated, have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Our Board stands by the science that indicates that vaccination is the most effective and best tool available to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safest learning environment possible. At GHC, we are committed to doing all we can to protect our students, staff, and their families. Our commitment to safety is ever more important as COVID-19 cases are spiking again, and the prospect of outbreaks and new variants is significant.”
But Fishback said GHC has gone too far and that a lawsuit is being prepared.
“I urge parents and people, in general, to look at the reasoning for this type of conduct and recognize that it is devoid of logic, science, and definitely the law,” she added. “I want everyone to know that this is a violation of constitutional rights. This is a violation of the 4th Amendment, the 14th Amendment, and the California Constitution Article One Section One. I don't think people realize that and I think they need to realize it because they have a right to not comply with this type of conduct.”