Three people were arrested after a brawl broke out between demonstrators and counter-protestors in opposition of the Glendale Unified School District’s recognition of Pride Month and policies on LGBT content in classrooms.
Several hundred people gathered for a demonstration on June 6 outside of Glendale Unified’s board meeting, where the board voted unanimously to proclaim June 2023 as “LGBT Pride Month.”
While most of the protest remained peaceful, a fight erupted between a small group of people on opposing sides.
At least three individuals were arrested for various charges—including the unlawful use of pepper spray and willfully obstructing officers in the course of their duties, according to the Glendale Police Department.
Determining the protest had exceeded the bounds of peaceful assembly, officers gave a dispersal order just after 6 p.m., while those inside the building were given a shelter-in-place order.
A person holds a sign at a demonstration outside of Glendale Unified’s board meeting, where the school board voted unanimously to proclaim June 2023 as “LGBT Pride Month,” in Glendale, Calif., on June 6, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)
Several hundred people gathered for a demonstration outside of Glendale Unified’s board meeting, where the school board voted unanimously to proclaim June 2023 as “LGBT Pride Month,” in Glendale, Calif., on June 6, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)The protest comes after months of rising tension in the district over its policies on LGBT topics in classrooms.
Parents in opposition say they want the district to focus on teaching academics and allow parents to introduce such topics to children on their own terms—while those in favor say they’re trying to support LGBT youth.
A group of parents in opposition called on community members to gather in protest of the district’s policies outside of the board meeting on June 6.
People gather for a demonstration outside of Glendale Unified’s board meeting, where the school board voted unanimously to proclaim June 2023 as “LGBT Pride Month,” in Glendale, Calif., on June 6, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)Another group of parents, along with the district’s teachers’ union, planned a counter-protest the same day, taking to social media to call on supporters to show up as well.
One June 2, many Glendale Unified parents opted to boycott the district’s planned “Pride Day”—a day in which students learn about LGBT activists and participate in activities that celebrate the LGBT community—by keeping their children home from school.
Another protest occurred June 2 at Saticoy Elementary School, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, where parents protested outside the North Hollywood school regarding a Pride assembly at the school.