‘The Rancho High School Riots’ Airs on Clark County TV During Black History Month
A new documentary called, “The Rancho High School Riots,” will play on Clark County Television (CCTV) throughout Black History Month.
The 56-minute production hosted by actor Antonio Fargas focuses on the turbulent years of 1967 to 1973, when there was racial tension and violence throughout the Clark County School District but especially at Rancho.
The North Las Vegas school saw numerous fights and arguments between African-American and white students and even outsiders who came onto campus to stir things up. It was in this volatile climate that there were dramatic confrontations in which, for instance, dozens of students were maced and a police helicopter was brought down by a rock-throwing student. One Rancho student suffering from leukemia died after being maced.
The film highlights the Rancho High School Class of 1971, whose year in school seemed to have been the apex of the riots, according to producer Stan Armstrong, himself a Rancho High graduate.
“Social issues sometimes made the best of friends, and enemies,” said Armstrong. “This documentary should heal old wounds, and enlighten. High school was one of the best times of my life. Rancho was an amazing school, and will forever hold its place in my heart and life.”
Black and white students from Rancho were interviewed for the documentary. They include local basketball star and Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins; Lee Gray, an All-American center, who personally worked to prevent numerous confrontations; one of the first black cheerleaders for school, Louise Randall; former Black Panther members, Kenny and Greg Porter; Daniel Crevoisier; and white athlete Danny Grey, who was torn between loyalty to friends on both sides. Also interviewed were former principal Larry Olsen, former teacher Harvey Mumford and local historian Dr. Michael Green from the College of Southern Nevada.
Gray was an unsung hero who was torn between his childhood friends and fellow schoolmates. This 6-foot-7 athlete witnessed and physically stood between his friends and classmates in order to prevent further harm and escalation of brutality, Armstrong said.
This is Armstrong’s second documentary in the Invisible Las Vegas series. The first production was simply called, “Invisible Las Vegas,” which focused on the history of segregation in Las Vegas.
“The Rancho High School Riots” is produced by Desert Rose Productions with Running Daugs Production and debuted on CCTV Feb. 1. It is being replayed throughout February on various days at various times. View the channel’s programming schedule.
CCTV is a government-access television station available on Cox cable and CenturyLink in the Las Vegas area, CMA Access Channel 14 in Laughlin, and all over via videostreaming on the County website at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov. Many of the station’s reports are also posted on the County website, the County’s YouTube page, Facebook and Twitter for viewing on-demand. A clip from the documentary may be viewed on the County’s YouTube page at www.YouTube.com/ClarkCountyNV.
CCTV’s role in providing greater transparency around County government remains an important one. Numerous government meetings are aired live and/or after the fact. Those meetings include the Clark County Water Reclamation District Board of Directors, the Las Vegas Valley Water District board, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, the Clark County Flood Control District board, the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition's Committee on Homelessness, the Clark County Board of Equalization, Clark County coroner’s inquests and the Southern Nevada Water Authority board.
CCTV cablecasts numerous productions, including a new magazine show, a show about things to do involving Parks and Recreation, a commissioner interview show called “In Your Neighborhood,” public service announcements for County and non-profit agencies and specialized mini-programs.
The station also airs programming provided by other governmental entities, including “The Flood Channel,” produced by the Regional Flood Control District; “Water Ways,” produced by the Southern Nevada Water Authority; “The Briefing Room,” produced by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; “Health District TV,” produced by the Southern Nevada Health District; and “Extension Connection,” produced by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
Additionally, a CNN-style bulletin board shows every 30 minutes, providing information on government events and services offered by Clark County and the cities of Henderson and North Las Vegas, which lack their own television stations. CCTV also runs public service announcements and other programming (e.g., mayoral state of the city addresses) provided by those cities.
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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 14th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to more than 2 million citizens and 40 million visitors a year. Included are the nation’s 8th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to almost 900,000 residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.