Los Angeles History Teacher Terminated After Opening Gate During Student-Led Protest
A history teacher at a charter high school in South Los Angeles has been dismissed from his position after he opened a campus gate to allow students to exit during a student-led anti-ICE protest. Ricardo Lopez, who taught US History at Synergy Quantum Charter High School, stated that his actions were motivated solely by a desire to prevent potential injuries among the students.
Teacher Cites Safety Concerns as Primary Motivation
Ricardo Lopez explained to local media that he unlatched a fence last week after witnessing students attempting to scale it to join coordinated walkouts occurring across Southern California. "I was just concerned about their safety," Lopez emphasized. "As the closest adult to them, I just opened the gate."
According to Lopez's account, he had observed students injure themselves the previous day while climbing over the same fence. When similar attempts resumed, he decided to intervene proactively to avoid further harm. Within one hour of this incident, the school administration reportedly terminated his employment, citing "insubordination" as the official reason.
School Administration Upholds District Policies
Synergy Academies confirmed that Lopez is no longer employed at the institution. In an official statement, the administration acknowledged respecting students' rights to self-expression but stressed strict adherence to Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) campus access and safety protocols.
"Decisions about whether students may leave campus during the school day are made solely by school administration," the statement clarified, noting that the charter school operates on an LAUSD campus and follows all district security guidelines. Last week, district officials had issued advisories explicitly discouraging students from leaving campus during school hours amid the widespread protests.
Backlash and Support from Community
The dismissal has ignited significant backlash from students and parents, who have organized rallies outside the school demanding Lopez's reinstatement. A petition calling for his return has collected nearly 1,000 signatures, while a crowdfunding campaign describes his actions as prioritizing student safety over rigid protocol.
Students have clarified that Lopez did not encourage them to participate in the walkout and that they acted independently. Several parents, while expressing reservations about students leaving class, have labeled the termination "excessive." Community organizations, including Unión del Barrio and the Association of Raza Educators, have also publicly voiced their support for the teacher.
Teacher Expresses Desire to Return
"I just want to get back to my classroom and students," Lopez stated, adding that the timing is particularly difficult with upcoming AP examinations approaching. He was escorted off campus shortly after the incident and later received his personal belongings—including student artwork and classroom materials—boxed and delivered to his residence.
As of now, the school has not indicated whether the decision will be reconsidered or reviewed. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between institutional policies and individual judgments regarding student welfare during periods of civil unrest.
