LAUSD employee caught on video making racist remarks to teachers on strike

ALHAMBRA, Calif. (FOX 11) - The Los Angeles Unified School District has launched an investigation after a district employee was caught on video making racist remarks to teachers on strike.

It happened Wednesday morning at South Gate Middle School.

The LAUSD employee has been identified as Annette Arvizu, a senior technician who has worked for the school district for 18 years. Arvizu says Wednesday morning's confrontation began when striking teachers wouldn't let her leave due to prior tensions.

"I opened up the gate and was going into my car and then they closed it and so when they did that I said 'build the wall!'," said Arvizu.

The viral video shows the district employee squaring off with striking teachers saying "I'm so glad you guys aren't being paid. I'm getting paid," "build the wall! All you guys wouldn't be here," and even flipping them off. Arvizu says her comments were not meant to be racist.

In a statement to FOX 11, LAUSD said:

"This behavior is inexcusable and directly contradicts the mission and values of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The employee has been removed from the assigned campus. Los Angeles Unified is conducting a full investigation into the incident."

Arvizu says she received letters hours after the incident asking her to resign but she believes she did nothing wrong.