Asian students boycott Phila. school

    At least 50 Asian students from South Philadelphia High School boycotted classes Monday to protest a rash of violence.

    At least 50 Asian students from South Philadelphia High School boycotted classes Monday to protest a rash of violence. The students say the school district ignores their pleas to address the racial tension between Asian and African American kids.

    Listen:
    [audio: 091207spasian.mp3]

    South Philadelphia High School senior Duong Ly says some African American students just don’t like Asian kids.

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    Ly says he was punched and pushed within a month of enrolling in the school two years ago. After several violent outbreaks last week, Ly says, school officials dismissed the incidents and downplayed racial tensions.

    Ly: They say accident not racial. They say small problem, small problem, just a kid with a kid. This is racial.

    Ly and other students met with school officials on Friday, but say one district official fell asleep.

    The students have been meeting today to discuss the problem. They say the tensions have festered for more than a year and hope the boycott will spur the district to take action.

    Regional Superintendent Michael Silverman says he does take the incidents seriously. The school brought counselors to help the students who did show up to class. More meetings are planned with the students and parents.

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