Eighth Grader Commits Suicide After Being Threatened by School Official With Jail Time for Organizing Walkouts:

Tuesday, April 11th, 2006

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/11/1426249

An eighth grader in California killed himself two weeks ago after being threatened by a school official for participating in the student immigrant rights walkouts. Anthony Soltero, 14, died after he shot himself in the head on March 30th. We speak with the attorney representing Soltero's mother.

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Along with the mass demonstrations, tens of thousands of students have staged walkouts across the country in support of immigrant rights. Students defied school lockdowns and strict bans to take to the streets in unprecedented levels and participate in the immigration protests.

But tragedy struck two weeks ago in California when an eight grader killed himself after being threatened by a school official for participating in the walkouts. His family claimed a school administrator pulled Soltero aside on March 30 and told him he could be jailed for three years, banished from his graduation and his parents could be fined for his involvement in the protest.

Anthony Soltero died after he shot himself in the head later that day. He was just 14 years-old.

About 200 people gathered in a church in Long Beach on Monday to remember him. Some of his friends wore black shirts with a picture of Anthony on the front.

On Monday, school district officials released a statement but failed to address whether the incident occurred. The statement read quote "The district expresses its sincere sympathy for the student's family and friends. Out of respect for the family's privacy and because litigation is being threatened against the district, we can't comment any further regarding this very unfortunate incident."

• Samuel Paz, a civil rights lawyer representing Anthony Soltero's mother, Louise Corales.

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