Students Stage Walkout to Protest Dress Code

About 150 Monrovia High School students walked out of class for two hours Thursday to protest a new dress code banning clothing considered sexually provocative, or associated with gang activity.

Students were most upset with the new rule that prohibits wearing caps that are not medically or religiously required. Hats with the school insignia are allowed with the principal’s approval.

“This thing is going to grow and grow until they put us into uniforms,” said freshman Belinda Shultz, who participated in the walkout. “If you take away (gang members’) clothing, they’ll find something else to identify themselves with.”

Student Body President Jesse Romero urged an end to the protest until officials “start taking away stuff they shouldn’t be taking away. If they try to take your tennis shoes, let me know,” he said, promising to lead a full walkout if necessary. By noon most students had returned to class.

The code, which takes effect Monday, was compiled at the request of faculty throughout the 5,440-student district, Supt. Don Montgomery said. Other than hats, the code does not specify what clothing is banned. That will be determined by a school’s principal, assistant principal or a designee.

School board members told an angry group of parents and students Wednesday night that Monrovia lags behind districts such as Los Angeles and Pasadena in establishing a code, saying it will help control the gang situation.