INGLEWOOD : Students Released Early After Fight at Lunchtime

Some Inglewood High School students were released early from school Friday afternoon after a lunchtime fight stemming from hard feelings over a fashion show Wednesday that angered some Latino students because of its predominantly black orientation.

Inglewood Unified School District spokesman Maurice Wiley said the school’s 2,000 students were released one-third at a time Friday up to the usual time of dismissal.

It was unclear Friday afternoon whether anyone was hurt in the fight or whether any disciplinary action was taken. Hard feelings arose Wednesday afternoon because the fashion show, put on by the Madd-X Production Co., featured mostly black models. The emcee encouraged students to patronize Cross Colors clothing, a black-owned line.

After the emcee’s exhortations, some Latino students walked out of the fashion show, which was cut short. But Wiley said the period was coming to a close and some students were leaving for lunch. Wiley also said that the remainder of the fashion show, according to Madd-X Production owner Michael Maddox, was to feature Latino models and clothing.