Parents in California argue outside elementary school’s Pride Month event.

Protesters Clash with Police Outside LA Elementary School Over Pride Day Assembly

California police officers split up protesters outside a Los Angeles elementary school Friday morning, as over 100 parents gathered to object to a Pride Day assembly.

Parents Speak Out Against LGBT Measures in Education

Parents of students at a North Hollywood elementary school gathered wearing T-shirts with the slogan, “Leave our kids alone.” Parents carried signs with messages reading “Parental choice matters,” “Teach my kids math, science, and English,” “Stop propaganda,” and other comments protesting LGBT measures in education, as seen on videos circulating on social media.

• “LAPD is at Saticoy Elementary School this morning. We are here to support our LAUSD partners and facilitate a peaceful and lawful exercise of constitutional rights,” Los Angeles police headquarters tweeted Friday morning.
• The parents’ group, called Saticoy Elementary Parents, advertised the protest on Instagram, calling the Pride Day assembly “an inappropriate topic for our kids,” urging fellow parents to keep their children home on June 2.
• The group stated in another Instagram post that Saticoy Elementary School has a student body of around 500 and “got over 400 parents’ signatures petitioning this ‘event’.”

Hate Crime Investigation Launched After LGBT Flag Burned

The protests come after the LAPD launched a hate crime investigation after an LGBT flag was burned at the same elementary school ahead of a Pride Month assembly. The burned flag was discovered in a planter pot on May 22 by a transgender teacher, sparking disapproval from local lawmakers.

“Such intolerance should have no place in our society — especially in our children’s schools,” state Rep. Brad Sherman said in a statement. “I’m troubled by this news and I denounce those who contribute to anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and bigotry.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who is running for U.S. Senate to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), also reacted to the burned rainbow flag.

“I am deeply distressed by the burning of the Pride Flag at a San Fernando Valley elementary school,” Schiff wrote on Twitter. “Every child deserves safety and acceptance. We must fight against discrimination and create an inclusive environment for all.”

Political Figures Weigh In

Eric Early, a GOP candidate running for Feinstein’s seat, responded to Schiff’s comment, showing his support for the “brave parents” of the school.

“I don’t care what the gender is of the teachers in question,” Early wrote on Twitter. “Get this stuff out of our kids schools! Let children be children.”

Stay Tuned for More Updates

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.