Downingtown STEM Dean On Leave After Confronting Abortion Protesters

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A vice principal at Downingtown STEM Academy has been placed on leave after confronting two abortion protesters in front of the school last week, the Downingtown Area School District said.

Zach Ruff, the dean of academics and student life at the school and a teacher of both advanced placement European history and advanced placement psychology, confronted the teenage protesters at the end of the school day on April 21.

The pair of protesters held religious and anti-abortion signs as students were driving past on the road on the way home from school. The ensuing confrontation with Ruff was captured on video. At first Ruff asks them to leave, and the protesters say they are on public property. Ruff then stands with his back to the pair and waves at the passing cars, as if to block the protesters from sight.

"Can I ask you to either walk on the sidewalk or leave the area?" Ruff says.

"This is actually a public sidewalk," the protester responds.

During the following debate Ruff becomes heated. The teens speak at length about the "holocaust" of abortion, while Ruff snaps that "they're cells." The male protester tells Ruff that "sir, you need to turn to Jesus Christ," and Ruff gives a short laugh before snapping back, "I'm as gay as the day is long, and twice as sunny. I don't give a (expletive) what Jesus tells me and what I should and should not be doing."

The school district said it was investigating the incident.

"We do not condone or support the conduct expressed in the video and are deeply disappointed that this incident occurred," the district said in a statement. "His conduct does not represent the values of the school district or the respect we expect our employees to show for the civil rights of others. This has now become a personnel matter and we must follow the policies and procedures that we have in place concerning staff issues. We truly apologize to all for the actions of this employee."

Later in the video, an older man stops his car in the middle of the road, holding up traffic, marches up to Ruff, and begins cursing at him.

When the protesters try to make loud pronouncements against abortion to the stopped cars, Ruff breaks into song and dance, belting out "I Love a Parade" while clacking his shoes rhythmically on the sidewalk.

Ruff is currently completing his doctoral dissertation in educational leadership and management at Drexel University, according to his biography on the school district website. He received a masters degree from Neumann University and a bachelors degree at the College of St. Joseph in Vermont.

Note: the video below contains graphic language.

Image via YouTube screenshot