Five of the seven boys involved in the tree cutting got suspended for five days then sent to a continuation school.
They say they screwed up, but they're upset the school district never gave them a chance to plead their case and a court, so far, agrees with them.
"Central, follow the law," chanted protesters outside the school Wednesday morning.
A second day of protests drew a few dozen parents and students demanding due process. But the crowd also attracted some opponents and prompted a shouting match.
"You're the mother," shouted Bob Wilson, who was dropping off his wife at the school. "What are you teaching them? They need to learn about consequences. There are consequences in life."
"The next time you are perfect, try walking on water, mister," shouted back one of the parents. "You want to hang somebody out on a cross and you don't even know these boys."
The five boys all tried to attend classes Wednesday; armed with a court order that says they shouldn't be forced to a continuation school, at least not before they get a hearing. But they didn't stay in school very long.
"I went to class and I got pulled out by administration," said Steve Morales. "Then I went back in with my court order and the principal refused to let us back in."
Administrators called parents with a warning Wednesday morning, saying the return to school could get the boys completely expelled because it's a distraction.
The school district stopped commenting on the case, but on Tuesday, they told Action News the boys should've thought about their actions. Their parents say they have, and they're making amends.
"What all five of them have done was very stupid," said Ken Chavez, whose son Kyle was the last of the boys kicked out of school Wednesday. "All five boys have done community service. They have done work for Tree Fresno. They are continuing to work for Tree Fresno."
The kids say they're going to try to go to school again Thursday morning, but they may have more luck in civil court.
They have a hearing Thursday afternoon to see if a judge will hold the school in contempt of court and force it to take the boys back.
