Oxnard Students Urged to Boycott

[Flabbergasted]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-vcimmig29apr29,1,3810473.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

An elementary school teacher active in Latino causes expects to anger parents and colleagues but says immigration is an important issue.
By Catherine Saillant, Times Staff Writer
April 29, 2006


Denis O'Leary has taught elementary school students for 17 years in El Rio and was elected to the Oxnard school board in 2004. He's passionate about the education of his students, many of whom come from impoverished immigrant families.

So why is O'Leary — one of those rare teachers who wears a tie every day — urging students to walk out of classrooms Monday as part of a nationwide boycott?

Because he must, said O'Leary, 46, an Oxnard resident who has long been a voice on civil rights issues affecting Latinos. He is married to a native of Chile, and the couple have three children who are bilingual.