For Immediate Release
December 7, 1999

CONTACT: Scott Gunderson Rosa, (202) 833-6130

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today announced its opposition to felony charges against two Latino fifth-graders from Arlington, Virginia. The two students, both ten, are facing charges that they attempted to injure or kill their teacher by putting an alcohol-based gel soap into his drinking water.

"The zero tolerance policy in this case makes zero sense," said Rick Dovalina, LULAC National President. "The charges filed are more appropriate for violent criminals than 10-year-old children who committed a prank."

The two Latino children, who attend Randolph Elementary School, face a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison if convicted as adults. They continue to attend class while waiting to appear in court December 21.

"There is a pattern of zero tolerance being aimed at young minority children," said Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director. "We need to balance these zero tolerance policies with reason, and realize the difference between felonious behavior and simple mischievous behavior."

"The Latino community in Northern Virginia is outraged that the Commonwealth attorney is moving forward with felony charges when the matter has already been dealt with by the school," said Walter Tejada, LULAC Virginia State Director. "We obviously don't condone what these students did, but the response needs to be proportionate to their behavior. Based on known facts, this is a gross over-reaction. Incidents like these erode community faith in our judicial system's ability to ensure that such policies are being applied regardless of race, ethnicity or economic or political status. Scheduling the trial four days before Christmas shows the lack of judgment and sensitivity being exercised in this matter."

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.