PROTESTERS BRAWL OVER PRIDE MONTH OUTSIDE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOOL

Wed 07 June 2023:

Protesters scuffled briefly and punches were swung Tuesday as a Southern California school district debated whether to recognize June as Pride Month.

Several hundred people gathered in the parking area of the Glendale Unified School District headquarters, divided into supporters and opponents of LGBTQ education in schools.

Many of the demonstrators, who voiced their disdain for the teaching of LGBTQ issues in schools, wore T-shirts with the slogan: “Leave our kids alone.” The same phrase has been used by others across the country who have protested Pride month activities in schools.

Police intervened immediately to break up the fights, separate the two groups, and clear the parking lot.

In a news release Tuesday evening, the Glendale Police Department said the protest was mostly peaceful but “a small group of individuals engaged in behaviour deemed unsafe and a risk to public safety” and at least three people were arrested on various charges, including unlawful use of pepper spray and willfully obstructing officers.

Protesters brawl over pride month outside Southern California School #LGBTQ #PrideMonth pic.twitter.com/Ls3LLXaY68

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) June 7, 2023

“After the initial arrests, additional attempts to de-escalate the crowd failed,” the police news release read. ” Once the protest exceeded that bounds of peaceful assembly, a dispersal order was given just after 6:00 p.m.”

The GUSD school board ultimately came to the decision late Tuesday night to designate June as “LGBTQ+ Pride month” for the fifth year in a row.

Both sides stood their ground during the school board meeting as LGBTQ proponents argued children who may be part of the community need to feel safe and included in classrooms. Meanwhile, opponents expressed their concerns that schools should not push “unnecessary” or “harmful” views on gender to children without parental consent.

While some Republican-led states are limiting classroom conversations about gender and sexuality and banning gender-affirming care, some Democratic cities and states are seeking to expand LGBTQ rights and to honour the community’s contributions.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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