County Detectives To Investigate Student Protest That Turned Confrontational In Quakertown

QUAKERTOWN, PA — Bucks County detectives will be conducting an independent investigation into the police response to a protest by Quakertown students on Friday that turned confrontational and ended in the arrest of at least five students and an adult.

"The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is aware of the events that transpired in Quakertown on Friday, Feb. 20. Our office is conducting an independent investigation into the police response during this incident," the DA's office said.

The statement continues, "To ensure a thorough and transparent review, we are seeking the
community’s assistance and encourage anyone with information, including video footage or photos, to contact the Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354."

The incident unfolded Friday morning when about 35 students walked out of Quakertown Community High School without permission and engaged in an "unsafe and disruptive" protest on Front Street.

Quakertown Community School District Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hoffman said that after the district received communication regarding a potential safety concern, a student-led ICE protest scheduled for Friday was canceled "in the interest of student and staff safety" and in coordination with law enforcement. District families were notified of the decision at 6:45 Friday morning.

At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, approximately 35 students left the school building without permission and proceeded to Front Street in Quakertown, Hoffman said.

"The district received notification from local law enforcement that students were engaging in unsafe and disruptive behavior in town," said Hoffman. "District administrators immediately coordinated with the police and placed the high school and Quakertown Elementary into an external lockdown to preserve a safe learning environment."

The disruptive behavior has been widely reported as students damaging cars and walking in the street. At some point, a confrontation ensued with video capturing a man dressed in plain clothes and later identified as the chief of police, engaging with the students and putting one teenage girl in a chokehold.

The confrontation resulted in the arrest of at least five students and an adult, according to reports.

In a statement issued to media organizations, students who participated in the canceled protest said they "were not met with dialogue, but with force" during their walkout and that "multiple students were arrested following a confrontation with police." They held a rally with civil rights groups on Saturday morning outside the Quakertown Borough Police Station.

"Parents and community members are outraged by reports that officers used physical force against minors and escalated what began as a student demonstration into arrests and criminal charges," said the group in its press release titled "Parents and Civil Rights Organizations Demand Immediate Release of Students Arrested."

"The lack of response by the Quakertown Police Department leaves us with a troubling silence regarding such egregious actions: when young people speak out, law enforcement responds with intimidation instead of de-escalation," the students said in their statement. "Arresting students, pursuing serious charges, and delaying their release until Monday is punitive and disproportionate."

It was not immediately known how the confrontation began.

On Saturday morning, the students "demanded" the immediate release of all detained students, dropping of "excessive charges" against students, and an "independent, external investigation" into officer conduct.

"Students exercising their First Amendment rights should not be criminalized," said the students. "Policing that escalates rather than protects erodes public trust and places young people at risk. We stand with the students and their families and will pursue every avenue necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and systemic reform."

On Sunday, Upper Bucks United called for the immediate suspension of the Quakertown police chief "after he placed a 15-year-old student in a chokehold during a peaceful student protest. Witnesses report that the chief was not in uniform and did not identify himself as a police officer before physically engaging the minor," the group said in a statement.

The incident has sparked national outrage among parents, students, and civil rights advocates, said Upper Bucks United, which plans to take its concerns to the next meeting of the Quakertown Borough Council.

"Attendees will speak out about the use of force against a minor, the failure to follow identification protocols, and the broader issue of accountability within local law enforcement leadership," they said. "The community will address the council to demand immediate action and structural reforms to prevent future incidents."

Upper Bucks United said it will demand the immediate suspension of Police Chief Scott McElree; an independent investigation into the incident; the public release of all body camera and surveillance footage; clear policy reforms regarding the use of force and officer identification; and mandatory de-escalation and youth interaction training.

During the school lockdown, Hoffman said "both schools maintained their normal school day activities. As with any lockdown, no one was permitted to enter or leave the school buildings during this time. At approximately 1:15 p.m., the lockdown was lifted and all school operations returned to normal."

Hoffman said the district is "actively investigating multiple reports" regarding the actions of any student who left the building without permission. The district is awaiting more information from the police.