Schools
UPDATE: Anti-Abortion Protesters Hold Signs Outside Perry Hall High
Two protesters gathered outside the school between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Friday.
UPDATE (Oct. 5, 3:29 p.m.)—Two anti-abortion protesters demonstrated outside Perry Hall High School on Friday morning, assistant principal Stephen Arnold confirmed.
Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., standing on a public sidewalk near the school's entrance, they held signs showing aborted fetuses, according to Arnold.
"I think the protesters are there to get a reaction—so they're going to show pictures to get a reaction," he said.
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They interacted with some students and community members, but no incidents were reported. The school's on-duty school resource officers verified that the protesters had a permit to demonstrate. They were not, however, required to warn the school in advance of their demonstration, according to Arnold.
He said they appeared to be part of the same group that demonstrated outside the school in February.
Find out what's happening in Perry Hallfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
County Councilman David Marks said he had several concerns related to the demonstration.
"I am personally pro-life and I certainly support freedom of speech, but I wonder why this group selects schools and I worry about the safety of motorists distracted by these protesters," Marks said.
"Also, quite candidly, we in Perry Hall have had enough reminders lately of the importance of human life," he added.
Dennis M. Robinson, Jr., president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association, also released a personal statement on Friday.
"I am not weighing in on the issue of abortion. To be clear, I fully support and value the right of free speech we enjoy as Americans. The same right of free speech that permits protesters to display graphic images to high school students also permits me to say that I think their conduct is grossly distasteful to say the least," Robinson stated. "If they want to engage in that activity, I think they should go elsewhere. Let our high school students, who have been through enough this year, focus on learning."
Do you think this type of demonstration is appropriate outside of a school? Tell us in the comments.
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