Hundreds of protesters arrived and shut down a Michigan school board meeting Monday night, angry and opposing against certain LGBTQ books that were said to be too sexually explicit for kids.
The Dearborn Public School District was supposed to hold a meeting with an agenda on district funding, retirements, special education, and book censorship and LGBTQ+ material. However, organizers had to call it off even before solutions and decisions had been made. Parents and community members, who were tightly crammed in the room with others already seated on the floor, were already exchanging heated comments to each other about the school's book review process, The Daily Beast reported.
The majority of the crowd appeared to be in opposition to the LGBTQ books, which they said are too sexually explicit for children. Yet, there were also a number of individuals from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union who stood up to show support for inclusion of LGBTQ people and others.
Angry parents and community members were seen parading the meeting with signs on hand that read, "Keep Your Dirty Books in the Closet" and "Stop Grooming Our Kids." There were other held-up signs with "anti-gay rhetoric in English and Arabic," and those that made religious references to contend that LGBTQ educational materials and books should not be allowed in Dearborn Public Schools, which is the third largest school district in Michigan.
'Please calm down'
A heavy police presence was seen in the area to make sure that things were under control.
Unfortunately, it has been said that the authority has failed to prevent the board meeting from ending into chaos as the crowd was jostling for control, shouting to each other, and ignoring police requests to stop interrupting board members from speaking.
The protesters only fell silent when Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin arrived and pleaded for everyone to calm down and have respect for each other, according to USA Today.
She further pleaded that the Dearborn community is so much better than what was happening. Everyone must see each other as brothers and sisters despite the difference in race, ethnicity, and religion. Thus, a spirited debate can be possible.
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Embarrassing to the Arab American Community
Most of the protesters were Arab American and Muslim, yet the incident was said to be strongly objected by others from the Arab American community.
In fact, publisher of the Dearborn-based Arab American News and a longtime community leader, Osama Siblani, expressed his disappointment in a Facebook post he wrote Tuesday morning, saying that the incident at the Dearborn school meeting is "very embarrassing and is totally rejected."
He continued stating, "To our community, please don't fall in the trap. Be smart. We all care about our kids and their future... Remember that the loss of any individual's right to express himself/herself is the beginning of the end of all people's rights to express and live in dignity and freedom. Remember that Islam is a religion of love, peace and tolerance, not a religion of insults, violence and threats... Our turn will come if you allow others to be stripped of their rights and oppressed."
Board president Roxanne McDonald admitted that the school district had an "outdated book review process" in determining new materials for the students. However, she assured that the board is very much willing to work with parents to guarantee that all voices and concerns will be heard as they revise the plans.
Superintendent Dr.Glenn Maleykos said that they want a system that is fair to everyone, respecting the rights of all parents in their decision-making. He added that the books that were in questioned were at the high school level, but regardless, he promised that all books in district circulation, about half a million in total, will be reviewed in a "monumental task"
He ended his statement emphasizing that the schools will continue to be "welcoming safe places," and books with different topics will be reflected in the libraries.
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