Anti-Mask Rally Planned At Elmhurst School

ELMHURST, IL — Fifth-grader Emmett Thompson has been required to stay in Emerson Elementary School principal's office because he won't wear a mask, his parents say.

On Thursday morning, Emmett's supporters plan to hold a rally to support him. Information about the event calls Emmett "a brave young man with science and data on his side" and says he is "taking a stand against injustice."

The information further says the event is to be "entirely peaceful and more a show of support for Emmett than a political statement."

The rally is planned to be from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. outside Emerson, 400 West Ave.

Emmett's parents, Irish and Elizabeth Thompson, say they are not organizing the rally and don't know all the details.

His father said Emmett is in his third week of not wearing a mask.

"He's been made to sit by himself in the principal's office to do his schooling. He is being isolated and taken from his peers," Irish said in an interview.

At the beginning, Emmett asked his parents whether he could remove his mask for school.

"We said yes. Just make sure you bring it with you. We didn't know what the reaction would be. He's sticking to what he believes in," his father said. "People will think of this as they will. We're just supporting him. He's definitely in the minority. His peers are probably saying things to him and behind him."

Elizabeth said her son made the decision on his own.

"We are using this as a teachable moment. We are talking to him about being respectful," she said in an interview. "We truly believe that masks should be optional for parents and students. We support our son's choice. We also feel firmly that he has a right to a public education, which he is not receiving."

She said her family is not putting together the event.

"I don't want it to look like we are staging this," Elizabeth said. "We don't know what this will look like."

A school district spokeswoman did not return a message for comment.