The anti- and pro-Trump protests are becoming a regular news story now: just change the names and places, and we get another day’s worth of news.
Today’s protest comes from Rockville, Maryland, where a 15-year-old boy wearing a Trump hat was beaten during a protest this afternoon, NBC News reports.
Protestors march through Rockville Town Square #nbc4dc @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/p1zdPTFhP1
— Jason Gittlen (@NBCJason) November 16, 2016
The injured boy is a student at Richard Montgomery High School and was said to be wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap during the walkout in which between 300 and 500 students participated. Students marched to the Montgomery County courthouse carrying signs and chanting “Love Trumps Hate!”
An argument between the boy and another student turned violent, according to a police spokesperson. Then a few other students joined in the fight. No life-threatening injuries were sustained.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education documents incidents similar to this one around the country.
Montgomery County Superintendent Jack Smith, who served until earlier this year as the Maryland state superintendent of schools, issued a statement calling on students to stay in school.
“While MCPS respects everyone’s right to assemble and respectfully express themselves,” he said, “these demonstrations have unfortunately generated valid concerns regarding the security of our students outside of our schools.”
If students are injured, he said, school officials have to “rethink the situation.” In order to keep students safe, under adult supervision, and actively engaged in the learning process, they are expected to stay in school and participate in the daily education program offered by the schools.
He also spoke briefly about the recent rise in vandalism and hate speech seen on school property, saying “these are deeply disturbing incidents.” He reminded students that vandalism is against the district’s policies, illegal under the law, and “simply wrong.”
