(March 31, 2007) -- As reported on LBReport.com's front page as the news broke, a group of about 200 students from WLB's Cabrillo High School (out of a Cabrillo High student body of 3,600+) walked out of classes at 9:30 a.m. on March 30, apparently in support of making state-observed Cesar Chavez Day a federally-observed holiday.

An independent observer told LBReport.com that a midday demonstration at Cesar Chavez was attended by several hundred young people, who'd earlier marched through part of Central LB before converging downtown. Mexican flags along with some U.S. flags were visible.

Following the midday demonstration, LBUSD says roughly 150 Cabrillo students were transported by school buses back to Cabrillo High.

So why by school buses? LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou told LBReport.com that LBUSD works closely with law enforcement, taking its cues from them...and LBPD indicated that providing the school buses would be prudent in terms of student safety.

Mr. Eftychiou said LBUSD commends the vast majority of its students who continued their education and didn't leave classes on March 30 He added that about 25 students left Franklin Middle School this morning and dispersed; school safety personnel located many of them and they were dealt with accordingly.