A lunchtime pro-America demonstration by Vintage High students turned into a tense verbal clash Friday, as Anglo and Latino students taunted each other. In one case, two female students got into a fight.

The demonstration in Vintage High's back parking lot was organized by Anglo students. About 30 teens came together around several pick-up trucks, proudly waving American flags and blasting country music.

The demonstration angered some Latino students, who banded together and confronted the others.

According to Vintage Principal Eric Schneider, about 50 students were involved, and there were many spectators.

"It's unfortunate, this was supposed to be a day of celebration," Schneider said, referring to the school's Cinco de Mayo festivities -- which went forward in a different part of campus.

Faculty and administrators went out to break up the altercation, and some students pulled their friends away so they wouldn't get injured. Napa police showed, but the fight had broken up by the time they arrived. Several students were sent home early.

Vintage Dean of Students Cam Neal said that some students were showed disrespect to both the U.S. and Mexican flags, by spitting on or pulling them. The tension led to a fight between two girls, but officials reported that no one was injured.

Contrary to calls placed to the Register Friday, school administrators and Napa police said no one attempted to burn a flag.

"We're taking this very seriously," Schneider said. "This is a message that these issues exist and we need to address them."

Schneider said the school has hosted many discussions about proposed immigration legislation and ethnic differences, and the altercation came as a surprise.

"We're trying to teach kids to express themselves so that it doesn't lead to violence," Schneider said.

High tensions

The student conflict came during a passionate national debate about illegal immigration.

A St. Helena demonstration on Monday drew more than 2,000 people opposed to a strict House of Representatives proposal that would build a 700-mile fence on the border, make it a felony to be in the country without documentation and make it a crime in many circumstances to aid people here illegally.

Meanwhile, members of the Senate and President George W. Bush have said a solution to the immigration problem should include ways for illegal immigrants to work here legally and even become citizens.

The student organizers of Vintage's pro-America demonstration said they purposely picked May 5 -- Cinco de Mayo -- to show their support for America. Several Anglo students said they were tired of other students carrying Mexican flags, and saw this as their chance to send a message.

"If (Latinos) are going to protest (America), we're going to protest them," Chase Daniels, 18, said.

Students rode on the back of trucks, waving American flags and wearing red, white and blue clothing. One student donned an Uncle Sam hat.

Andrew Steler, a senior who said he just signed up for an eight-year hitch with the Marine Corps, said he was exercising his freedom of speech.

"We should celebrate (America) everyday...and we shouldn't let other nations run us out of here," Steler said.

Ashlee Oriarte-Smith, 14, a freshman, said she was stunned and disappointed by the altercation.

"We're pretty diverse, the fight was such a shock," she said. "I don't believe in judging people (based on) where they're from."