Parents Protest Mask Mandate At Gov Murphy's East Brunswick Visit

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A group of parents gathered outside Memorial Elementary School in East Brunswick to protest Gov. Phil Murphy’s school mask mandate announcement. Murphy’s announcement came at a press briefing held at the school.

On Friday Murphy said that New Jersey students, educators, staff, and visitors will have to wear masks in school buildings when the new school year begins in September.

Read More Here: NJ K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

A large crowd gathered outside the school ahead of Murphy’s visit. NJ Public Health Innovation PAC called for the rally Thursday evening on their Facebook page. The group describes itself as an “independent, non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots Political Action Committee.”

Holding signs and chanting “We do not consent,” “My child, My choice,” the rally also included children. The group livestreamed their demonstration on Facebook.

“We are outside to show him that we do not consent to a medical device being required for our children that doesn’t have the backing of scientific evidence,” a protestor said.

Murphy’s announcement came as the Delta variant spurs a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.

"While this announcement gives us no pleasure, I know that by taking this precaution we can keep our schools open while also keeping our children safe,” Murphy said during the press briefing.

“We will continue to closely monitor the science and data and will lift this mandate when we can do so safely. I urge those who are eligible for vaccination but have yet to be vaccinated to act and help move our state in the right direction."