Robert Small said he wanted to express his dismay over the introduction of a new school curriculum at a public forum Thursday night in Towson, but instead the Ellicott City parent was pulled out of the meeting, arrested and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer.
Entire story and video at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/blog/bs-md-co-common-core-arrest-20130920,0,7127220.story
Update: Michelle Malkin posts email from Baltimore County parent describing the events:
http://michellemalkin.com/2013/09/20/parents-you-need-to-question-these-people-shock-video-of-dad-arrested-at-school-meeting-after-challenging-common-core/
WBAL report: http://www.wbal.com/article/102859/2/template-story/See-Video-Parent-Arrested-At-Common-Core-Meeting-
(As of the morning of September 23, the video has been watched on YouTube over 440,000 times.)
On the video, Md School Superintendent Lillian Lowery and Balt County Public Sch Super Dallas Dance sit by silently as their hired security guard manhandles and puts handcuffs on a parent asking a questions about the Common Core Curriculum that they didn't want to answer.
ReplyDeleteI think this means the CCC doesn't include the First Amendment.
Indeed, it is most frustrating getting to ask a question in a large, public forum, especially if there is a perception the questions are hand-picked. After viewing the video, it does appear that the security guard was aggressive, especially as the parent neared the door to exit. The charges are too beefed up! Perhaps the panel should have offered an extended period or the possibility of an additional forum if the time allotted was not sufficient. Actually, as a family member, I felt the same frustration at a Montgomery County Public School Forum on Special Education.
ReplyDeleteRay Leone, the current Maryland PTA president, sat right next to Lowery and did so silently while the parent was bullied, silenced and later arrested. So who was supposed to be there for parents in being able to participate?
ReplyDeleteThis is sickening. Mr. Small may have violated protocol, but he certainly did not violate the law.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't the parents walk out in solidarity? Sitting there like cattle indeed.
ReplyDeleteThere will no longer be critical thinking skills taught in schools, so much easier to rule. Yay, Jeb Bush for Prez too.