MCPS 6/27/2023 Protest Photo 12
Rockville Maryland, June 27, 2023. A huge group (1,000?) of mainly African American and Muslim folks gathered at the Board Of Education to protest LGBTQ+ education in Montgomery County MD public schools. They are advocating to restore an 'opt out' policy. That means that if a teacher assigns reading material that parents object to, the student does not have to participate. The main organizers of today's protest seemed to be white activists associated with intolerant right wing outfits including the SPLC* designated hate group Moms For Liberty. Also present were the shadowy Family Rights For Religious Freedom*** and The Coalition For Virtue**. Sadly, there also seemed to be major buy-in from Muslim groups I respect that should know better. Inside the BOE there was testimony about MoCo's policies both pro and con but the general public was largely excluded for understandable security reasons.
A small contingent of my Rainbow Brigade friends were on hand for a dance party to show support for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Although one of the white male right wing speakers claimed that there was physical conflict initiated by the Rainbows this was not the case. I've attended and photographed a fair number of Rainbow events and I can report that Rainbow protectors are well trained in peaceful de-escalation techniques. In fact, one of the folks here today actually took a punch from a Proud Boy and just turned the other cheek. Thankfully he has healed and continues to show up to support his community with skill and grace.
*Southern Poverty Law Center
**Said to be a Muslim group, established 2023?
***Also Muslim focused, established 2023? No names? Why?
MCPS 6/27/2023 Protest Photo 12
Rockville Maryland, June 27, 2023. A huge group (1,000?) of mainly African American and Muslim folks gathered at the Board Of Education to protest LGBTQ+ education in Montgomery County MD public schools. They are advocating to restore an 'opt out' policy. That means that if a teacher assigns reading material that parents object to, the student does not have to participate. The main organizers of today's protest seemed to be white activists associated with intolerant right wing outfits including the SPLC* designated hate group Moms For Liberty. Also present were the shadowy Family Rights For Religious Freedom*** and The Coalition For Virtue**. Sadly, there also seemed to be major buy-in from Muslim groups I respect that should know better. Inside the BOE there was testimony about MoCo's policies both pro and con but the general public was largely excluded for understandable security reasons.
A small contingent of my Rainbow Brigade friends were on hand for a dance party to show support for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Although one of the white male right wing speakers claimed that there was physical conflict initiated by the Rainbows this was not the case. I've attended and photographed a fair number of Rainbow events and I can report that Rainbow protectors are well trained in peaceful de-escalation techniques. In fact, one of the folks here today actually took a punch from a Proud Boy and just turned the other cheek. Thankfully he has healed and continues to show up to support his community with skill and grace.
*Southern Poverty Law Center
**Said to be a Muslim group, established 2023?
***Also Muslim focused, established 2023? No names? Why?