Parents, alumni, students and community members packed the Quakertown Community School District school board meeting Thursday night asking for clarity over a “threat to students” as well as protest options ahead of last Friday’s student-led walk out that ended with five students arrested and at least one student still in custody as of publication.
The Quakertown Five, as they’ve been dubbed, are all minors and were part of a planned protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and tactics that had been cancelled hours before it was to go ahead.
Yesterday, the Associated Press News reported lawyers for student protestors “had no idea the older stocky man who joined the fray” last Friday was in fact, Scott McElree, Quakertown chief of police and the borough manager.
McElree was in plain clothes at the time and did not identify himself as law enforcement, according to published reports and witnesses.
Because a police officer was involved in the violent confrontation that ended with what appeared to be him on the ground with a young girl in a chokehold, the charges were upgraded to felony assault.
AP news reported lawyers said their clients, who were among 35 students who were protesting against ICE immigration policies and tactics, acted in self defense.
“My client was directly choked by the chief. It was alleged that she had struck him, which she did not,” said lawyer Timothy Prendergast, who represents the petite 15-year-old girl [who was seen in video in a chokehold last Friday]. “They are innocent. They were exercising their First Amendment rights. The chief did not like that and acted outside of his authority,” the AP News report said.
READ: Lawyers Say Pennsylvania Student Protesters Did Not Know a Man Who Joined Scrum was the Police Chief
Quakertown school district Acting Superintendent Lisa Hoffman issued a letter to families and community members last Friday that a “threat” had been made against the protestors in advance of the event.
Those who spoke during public comment said reports of bullying and threats to student protestors earlier in the week should have prompted an alternative plan, such as a secure on campus; protest opportunities against and in support of ICE or some other opportunity.
Students have protested against ICE immigration tactics in recent weeks at Pennsbury and Neshaminy high schools without incident.
NBC Philadelphia reported on February 14 that Pennsbury High School was placed on lockdown a day after a planned student protest walk out of ICE immigration enforcement tactics was held. The news outlet reported it was unknown if the threat was related to the student protest.
A planned protest at Neshaminy High School on February 12 was moved indoors “in an abundance of caution” and due to a number of “unsubstantiated threats,” Levittown Now reported.
Many Quakertown school district residents argued more could – and should – have been done to avoid Friday’s events, violence and subsequent arrests.
District officials have stated they have no control over what happens to students once they leave school grounds.
Lisen Cummings of Richland Township asked the board what was done to address bullying and threats reported by students during the week leading up to the event.
“We need transparency. If there is no accountability for those people making threats against our children, then it will continue to happen in the future,” Cummings said.
Cummings asked if an investigation has been launched into the person who made the threat against students.
She asked if – and why – no other opportunities were provided for the student protest to be held safely on school grounds or inside the school building.
Cummings said the original protest event planning had included a closed campus – no parents or community members would be permitted – a law enforcement presence and perimeter security were arranged and safety zones were set aside for students to use.
“After the cancellation were [any] other options provided? Because if not, you failed these kids by giving them no option other than walking by themselves into the community,” Cummings said.
“I’m very disappointed that it seems the school is wiping its hands of the kids who were injured and arrested. We can and must do better,” she added.
View the Quakertown school Board meeting public comment here.
