Some L.A. teachers to be no-shows on campus today

Some L.A. teachers to be no-shows on campus today
8:01 AM | May 15, 2009

Some L.A. teachers are planning to not show up for work this morning to protest possible layoffs. Instead, they plan to engage in civil disobedience at the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters downtown to protest potential budget cuts.

United Teachers Los Angeles had planned a one-day strike today, but a judge earlier this week issued a restraining order prohibiting the action. If teachers continued with the work stoppage, they each would have faced a $1,000 fine and the possible loss of their credentials.

Instead, some educators plan to be at the district headquarters about 10 a.m. for civil disobedience, according to teachers union officials. Union members will also hold a protest in the afternoon.

Teachers who plan to go to L.A. Unified's headquarters in the morning have requested substitute teachers, according to union officials. L.A. Unified officials said that about 2,800 teachers have requested substitutes, which is more than average for a Friday in May.

Read the complete story on the teacher protests.

-- Jason Song

Top photo: Venice High School seniors Kristina Mahagamage, 17, left, and Amanda Jacobson, right, 18, skip morning classes to demonstrate with signs and slogans Friday in Venice. Over 200 students stayed out of morning classes in support of the teachers. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Middle photo: Over 200 Venice High School students stayed out of morning classes in support of the teachers. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Bottom photo: San Pedro High School journalism and English instructor Steve Gebhart gathered with other teachers to protest layoffs and increase in class size because of budget cuts on Friday. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)