Students and parents say a silent protest at a Coney Island high school turned violent Friday.

The principal at Rachel Carson High School called police during the protest. Students and parents claim more than 20 officers got rough with some students, taking them to the ground, handcuffing them and putting them in choke holds. Five students and a guidance counselor were arrested.

School officials called parents to pick up their children and classes were canceled for the rest of the day. Some parents say they understood the principal?s decision, however, others say they are outraged and say the police used excessive force.