Teacher Fired for Opening Gates During Protest

A history teacher from a Los Angeles high school has lost his job after he opened the campus gates for students wishing to join an anti-ICE protest.

Ricardo Lopez, who taught at Synergy Quantum Charter High School, explained that he unlatched the fence out of concern for the students’ safety. He had witnessed a student injuring himself while jumping over the fence the day before.

“I was just worried about their safety,” he mentioned in an interview, adding that, as the closest adult, he felt compelled to act.

Last week, students staged a strike as part of statewide demonstrations, despite warnings from school officials about skipping class.

Within an hour of opening the gates, Lopez was let go, with the school citing “insubordination” as the reason. He was escorted off campus and returned home with his belongings packed in a box.

Synergy Academy confirmed his departure from the school, stating that while they acknowledge students’ rights to self-expression, they prioritize safety and adhere to the campus access policies set by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

In a statement, the school emphasized their commitment to following LAUSD guidelines, noting that decisions about student movement during class rest solely with school administrators.

Since Lopez’s termination, students and parents have protested outside the school, claiming the response was excessive. An online petition has gathered nearly 1,000 signatures urging for his reinstatement.

A GoFundMe campaign supporting Lopez asserts that he was “protecting students from physical harm” and suggests he faced consequences for prioritizing safety over protocol.

“I just want to get back to the classroom and my students,” Lopez expressed, reflecting his desire to return to teaching.