QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — Parents and community members packed into a Quakertown Community School District building Tuesday night as emotions ran high during the first board meeting since last week’s anti-ICE protest.
Speakers sharply criticized how district officials handled the student-led walkout and the events leading up to it.
The protest, held Friday by about 35 Quakertown High School students despite warnings from administrators, ended in a clash with police that resulted in five teens being arrested. Attorneys and family members say some of the students are now facing aggravated assault charges.
READ MORE | Quakertown students facing aggravated assault charges following clash with police chief
Quakertown students facing aggravated assault charges following clash with police chief
Video of the confrontation shows Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree – not wearing a uniform at the time – struggling with the teens and appearing to put a 15yearold boy in a chokehold. Calls for his resignation have grown in the days following the incident.
Quakertown police initially said some students engaged in “disruptive behavior” during the walkout, including hitting and kicking cars and blocking traffic. Students have countered that some of the altercations stemmed from harassment by drivers in trucks.
Because of the anticipated turnout, Tuesday’s public comment session was moved to the top of the agenda. Administrators addressed the crowd first, citing a threat as the reason they attempted to cancel the protest.
“At 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, the district received what was deemed as a new and concerning threat of violence,” one administrator said.
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The district did not provide additional information about the nature of the threat. Another speaker at the meeting claimed it involved a gun.
“The threat that was given was that a gun was going to be present at the walkout,” the speaker said. “None of y’all know that, but I do. I want that canceled. I want safety in the district.”
Board members did not comment when multiple speakers raised the rumored reason for canceling the protest.
Many parents said they were hearing about the alleged threat for the first time and questioned why a safer alternative to the walkout was not offered.
“There needs to be communication and transparency,” one speaker said.
“Has an investigation been launched about the potential safety concern? Is that person being held accountable?” another speaker asked. “We need transparency.”
Before the meeting, parents and advocacy groups rallied in support of the students, while a separate group gathered to show support for the police.
Public comment stretched on for hours. Though most speakers were adults, at least one student addressed the board.
“How can I sit here knowing 35 students are fighting for my life and their rights?” the student said. “I can’t stand here and
pretend nothing is happening.”
Several speakers noted that none of the student protesters were in attendance because they felt unsafe.
“I want to note that none of the student protesters are in the room,” one speaker said. “Do you want to know why? They do not feel safe.”
As of late Tuesday, one student remained detained.
The police department, borough council and district attorney’s office have declined to comment further until the investigation is complete.
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