Fewer Students Walk Out in Dress Code Protest

A new dress code at Peary Junior High School in Gardena triggered a walkout by nearly 180 students Tuesday, but the protest appeared to have lost some steam Wednesday when only 11 students walked out.

Principal Alvin L. Hayes Sr. said he saw the students leaving the campus at 9 a.m. Wednesday. He said they were joined off campus by four other students who had not reported to school.

The new dress code, which went into effect Monday, was imposed by the school’s leadership council, a 16-member group that includes faculty, parents, community members, a student and the principal.

A previous dress code barred gang-oriented clothing in general, but the new rules specifically prohibit items such as hats, hair nets, bandannas, gloves, a single earring and gang colors. Students who walked out argued that the rules limit their personal freedom.