Scuffle, punches as protesters brawl over California faculty district’s Pride Month vote

By Associated Press: Protesters briefly scuffled and punches flew Tuesday as a Southern California faculty district determined whether or not to acknowledge June as Pride month.

Several hundred individuals gathered within the car parking zone of the Glendale Unified School District headquarters, break up between those that help or oppose exposing children to LGBTQ+ points in faculties.

Some opponents wore T-shirts emblazoned with: “Leave our kids alone.”

It was the identical slogan utilized by some demonstrators final Friday exterior Saticoy Elementary School in Los Angeles to protest a deliberate Pride meeting.

As in Glendale, cops needed to separate teams of protesters and counterprotesters who got here to blows.

Across the nation, Pride month celebrations are kicking off amid rising backlash in some locations towards LGBTQ+ rights. Community parade organizers, faculty districts and even skilled sports activities phrases have confronted protests for flying rainbow flags and honoring drag performers. While some Republican-led states are limiting classroom conversations about gender and sexuality and banning gender-affirming care, some Democratic cities and states are in search of to develop LGBTQ+ rights and to honor the group’s contributions.

In Glendale, police shortly moved in to cease clashes, separated the 2 teams and cleared the car parking zone. Police mentioned they arrested two individuals on suspicion of obstructing officers and one individual for illegal use of pepper spray. TV experiences additionally confirmed a person being taken away after mendacity down on the street and refusing to maneuver.

No accidents have been reported.

ALSO READ | Protest erupts as California faculty district votes to recognise Pride Month, 3 arrested

Inside the packed assembly room, the college board late Tuesday night time authorised, for the fifth yr in a row, a decision designating June as LGBTQ+ Pride month.

However, most of those that addressed the college board mentioned broader problems with how intercourse and gender are dealt with beneath district coverage, with supporters arguing that LGBTQ+ youngsters must really feel protected and included in lecture rooms whereas opponents contended that faculties are usurping parental authority and pushing pointless and even dangerous views on gender.

In an earlier assertion, the district mentioned “intentional and harmful disinformation has been circulating about what is being taught” and mentioned it follows state legislation and training insurance policies.

Earlier Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District faculty board unanimously voted to acknowledge Pride Month. The decision additionally inspired all faculties within the nation’s second-largest district to include classes on the LGBTQ+ group into the curriculum and affirmed a “commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for all LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff members.”

ALSO READ | ‘Leave our youngsters alone’: Protest over Pride month meeting at Los Angeles faculty turns violent