“Unfortunately a community member brought tortillas and distributed them which was unacceptable and racist in nature,” he wrote. “I do not condone this behavior. Coronado High School does not condone this behavior and is already taking appropriate action.”
Lorena Gonzalez, a California assemblywoman, said that Coronado High School “should be sanctioned” by the California Interscholastic Federation, the state’s governing body for high school sports, “or stripped of their championship.”
“We should have universal condemnation of this activity,” she said on Twitter. Parents in San Diego County, she added, “know that racist taunts against Latino athletes are too commonplace.”
“It’s time to stop it,” she said.
Nora Vargas, a San Diego County supervisor, said the behavior was “unacceptable and reprehensible,” adding that “the adults in the room need to do better and teach their kids/athletes better. ”
In an email, the California Interscholastic Federation said it “prohibits discrimination or any acts that are disrespectful or demeaning toward a member school, student-athlete or school community.” The organization said it was working with both school districts to address the matter.
At a news conference outside Coronado High School on Tuesday, activists said the tortilla tossing was racist and called for the students, staff members and coaches involved to be disciplined. People held signs, including a yellow one with an image of a tortilla and a message that read, “My mom taught me how to make not throw them.”
“It was pure and blatant racism and hate,” said Enrique Morones, executive director of Gente Unida, a nonprofit that provides services to immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. He said that what took place on Saturday was “absolutely unacceptable.”
“Hate is not welcome on this island or anywhere,” he said, “and we need to stand up to that hate.”
