Black Lives Matter, Trump Signs Removed From Middletown Classes

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Both a Black Lives Matter and a Trump MAGA sign have now been taken down from Middletown high school classrooms, Middletown Board of Education president Pam Rogers confirmed.

"Both were removed as per advice from legal to our superintendent," said Rogers, who stressed she and the entire Board of Education have had nothing to do with what has become a lightning rod issue in Middletown.

"From what I understand, both slogans were disrupting the day-to-day operations of the district and therefore removed," she said.

Middletown dad Mike Craig was the first to complain when he said his daughter snapped a photo of this "Black Lives Matter" sign, up on a teacher's desk in a science classroom at Middletown High School North on Tuesday of this week.

It read: "In this class, we believe: Black Lives Matter. Women's rights are human rights. No human is illegal. Science is real. Love is love. Kindness is everything."

Another classroom in the district had a banner up that read: "Trump, the 45th U.S. President, Make America Great Again."

The sign was apparently a gift from a student to a history teacher. The MAGA sign was up last year in the classroom; it reappeared this year and was seen in the classroom this week.

As of Thursday, both signs were taken down.

Craig, 52, said he did not know the Trump sign was up, but said:

"I'm glad both are down. That's what I've said all along. I want all politics removed from the school. I want kids to be free thinkers on their own and not told how to believe. I'm just happy it was taken down and this was solved quickly."

There was a public outcry over the Black Lives Matter lettering — both against it and in support of it. Many parents said they would be calling the Middletown school district to either ask the district to let the teacher leave it up — or have her take it down.

Middletown schools superintendent Mary Ellen Walker, who just took the job Aug. 1, put a public letter up Wednesday on the Middletown school district website. It read, in part:

"Public schools have the responsibility to present information in an objective manner. Please be advised that this matter has been reviewed and mutually resolved in support of our efforts to promote a positive learning environment for all students."

Craig is a retired police officer who took particular issue with the BLM sign. He called it a victory and said he wants to move on.

"They knew it couldn't stay up," he said of the Middletown school district. "I know this (science) teacher is a wonderful teacher and I know the North principal, Dr. (Stephanie) Cartier, is great. I was attacked on social media, but you also wouldn't believe the number of people messaging me saying thank you for speaking up about this. This is over as far as I am concerned. I'm just glad it's down and I want to move on."

Initial Patch report: Black Lives Matter Sign In Middletown Classroom Ignites Debate (Sept. 23)

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