Protest after dreadlocked boy was told he could not attend classes

APOPKA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A protest took place outside an Apopka Christian school on Friday, days after a boy with dreadlocks was told he could not attend classes, until he cut his hair.

The protesters chanted in anger, after Clinton Stanley says his 6-year-old son with the same name, was told he could not attend A Books Christian Academy, because his dreadlocks are not allowed. While Stanley didn't attend the protest because he had to work, he told FOX 35, "I'm not stopping until polices get changed."

President of Let Your Voice Be Heard, Miles Mulrain, says he has created a petition to change the policy so no schools that receive public funding can have rules prohibiting dreadlocks.

"We're standing behind Cliinton and trying to protest this in getting the policy changed. To tell them that they can't get an education that was afforded to them from a public tax scholarship is just not right."

"No I'm not a racist," says John Book, director of A Book's Christian Academy.

He says all boys that attend school here, must have short hair.  It's a rule that's been in place since 1971, he added.

"That's what really angers me about all this, that they're calling me a racist, simply because I'm enforcing a hair standard that he knew before he got here, and I think he did it on purpose."

Miles says the policy that discriminates.

"If you're getting government funding, then you should be in a place that there's not discrimination.  You should be in accordance with any civil rights."

Book offered water to the protestors.  As they tried talking, the conversation became louder and louder. One protestor shouted, "You're putting us in a box."

"The purposes of which this country has been founded on has been buried in a garbage heap of political correctness," Book says.

Another protest is planned for Tuesday.