Feeling unprotected on school grounds

Joi Smith's mom always told her never to let anyone search or question us without her knowing or being there. But when a school security guard pulled Joi out of class, took her to an office and searched her bag, Joi didn't get a chance to call her mom. The Oakland Unified School District recently passed a policy saying school police officers must tell students that they have the right for a parent to be present before and during an interrogation, but for Joi, it came too late. Though the guards found Joi hadn't done anything wrong, she transferred out of her high after the incident. "I felt violated. Like the school had more control over me and my personal belongings than I did." Hear the commentary on Youth Radio.