A routine Community Education Council ( CEC ) meeting in Manhattan turned chaotic last week as a group of around 100 trans rights activists staged a disruptive protest, using silent dancing and heckling to drown out discussion on policies related to transgender athletes.
During the open comment period, Jo Vitale, a family recommend, tried to voice issues about biological males competing in girls ‘ sports. Before she could accomplish, the protesters stood up and began silently dancing to the 90s hit” Macarena”, throwing off the meeting’s stream.
” I’m here to talk for female athletes who feel intimidated by this nonsense behind me”, Vitale said, unfazed by the silent protest.
This wasn’t the first moment the protesters disrupted a meeting. For over a year, they have protested nearly every CEC 2 gathering, ever since the council passed Resolution 248, urging the Department of Education ( DOE ) to review its policy that allows students to compete based on gender identity, reported New York post.
One of the main organisers, transgender professor Alaina Daniels, who runs an after-school program for LGBTQ+ children, has mobilised activists to attend the meetings. A new Instagram post urged supporters to wear transgender flag shades and attend in big figures, claiming” Your physical appearance makes the biggest influence”.
CEC people say the demonstrations have made it nearly impossible to explain various academic problems, like academic achievement and declining enrollment. ” I appreciate their lobbying, but it’s totally misplaced”, said CEC 2 Vice President Leonard Silverman, as quoted by New York Post. He noted that the decision isn’t being repealed, and the DOE has previously dismissed calls for a review.
At last year’s conference, the disruptions caused the government to reduce vote, delaying votes on two resolutions—one reaffirming the DOE’s trans-inclusive sports coverage and another opposing President Trump’s executive get against “radical indoctrination” in schools.
