Massive Brawl At Sylmar High School Was Not Race-Related, Students Say

SYLMAR (CBSLA.com) — Video of the Sylmar High School brawl that spread through part of campus like wildfire and then went viral brought students and parents together for a special meeting Wednesday.

It didn't take long for tensions to boil over and a surprise appearance from Actor Danny Trejo helped convince district leaders to change the night's agenda.

"None of you work with the kids, except for police," said Trejo who has ties to Sylmar and the San Fernando Valley and is also a youth advocate.

He told administrators to listen to the students.

Sylmar High School's principal allowed students to take the stage and speak out.

"Can I have anybody that attends Sylmar High School stand up," said one student. "If you feel safe at school, sit down."

LAUSD police say the fight was triggered by a dispute that started at a prom after-party at someone's home last weekend. It then picked up Monday.

Police said 30 students got caught up in it.

Though an exact motive is unclear, students said the fight was not race-related. Police similarly don't believe race was a factor.

Parents say the meeting was a step in the right direction but aren't certain any problems were resolved.

"I knew the district was just going to come here and say, 'Oh, we're going to make it safer,' " said one parent. "Like politicians always do."

The investigation is ongoing.