STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — They had iPods in their pockets rather than guitars on their laps, and the flowers in their hair more likely hailed from the Mall than San Francisco’s hillsides.

But the spirit of the 1960s, of civil disobedience and of fighting for what’s right, pulsed just the same yesterday through the crowd of about 300 teens outside New Dorp High School, during a half-day “sit-in” protesting the dismantling of their beloved Ben Soto Skate Park, located blocks away.

The event, attended by their teachers and observed by a relaxed gathering of school police just paces away, was part real-life advocacy, part performance art, and the culminating act of the academic year for the school’s Academy of Fine and Dramatic Arts.

It was also timed to coincide with school performances this weekend of the iconic hippie musical, “Hair,” and in advance of a giant rally planned for Sunday at the site of the shuttered Midland Beach skate park.

“If you don’t get what you want by waiting, you have to take action,” said New Dorp senior and avid skateboarder Marco Hernandez, who advocated for the park at numerous civic meetings even before his classmates became involved. “A lot of people together can make a difference.”

Behind him, the students raised their fists in the air and chanted “Soto!” “Soto!” Most sat cross-legged on the cool cement, with an especially passionate group having bound themselves with rope to the 32-foot-high aluminum sculpture at the school entrance.

“This educates them what their options are on having their voices heard,” said Arthur Vallario, who teaches art. “These kids chose to bring attention to the park because all of them know about it and are affected by what happened.”

The Ben Soto Skate Park opened in April 2005 and drew thousands of sports enthusiasts before it was padlocked and temporarily closed last fall by the city Parks Department for what was said to be “maintenance and repair.”

A plan is under way to resurrect the park. But the new design is not slated to include the features that drew so many BMX bikers and skateboarders to the site, advocates say.

“I want to let you know, that if you feel like you can’t do something to better your community, you can!” Edward Pollio, the park’s most vocal advocate, shouted over the roar of teens.