Occupy Protesters Fail In Bid To Get Students To Ditch Panorama High School
VAN NUYS (CBS) — A group of Occupy Wall Street protesters failed on Tuesday to persuade high school students in the San Fernando Valley to stage a walkout and join their cause.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports police and possibly undercover officers began following the group.
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Dozens of protesters marched down Van Nuys Boulevard and then turned onto Hamlin toward Panorama High School with bullhorns and drums, calling upon students to stage a walkout and join their demonstration, one of several May Day marches set for later this afternoon.
The group carried signs urging the legalization of marijuana and was heard chanting "Walk out! Walk out!" and "Join us in the streets!" as they made their way toward the Van Nuys Goverment Center.
School administrators blocked off exits to the school as police mobilized throughout the area on foot and on bicycle, but no students were seen exiting the campus to join the protesters.
One man watching the rally said he recognized a protester in street clothing as LAPD Officer Espinoza.
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"I have no idea how he shows his face in public," the witness said. "He's marching with them like he's part of the people, he's not."
But when confronted, the man identified as Espinoza denied being a police officer and said he was simply marching for "rights for students".
Click here for a full list of traffic delays and street closures due to planned May Day rallies.
