Florida School Board Meeting Postponed Due To Anti-Mask Protests

 

CREDIT: Angela Major/WPR

Around 20 anti-mask protesters were spotted at the Broward County School Board headquarters located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida which cause the board to postpone a discussion regarding mask requirements for the school year beginning shortly.

School Board Member Sarah Leonardi has said, "Folks weren't wearing masks and refused to follow the rules - rules that people have followed for the last year and a half. It made it very difficult to hold our meeting behind closed doors."

The group were even see lighting masks on fire.

A video surfaced showing a protester covering a tray of masks with lighter fluid then lighting it on fire.

"It is time to cast off this symbol of tyranny, this symbol of child abuse - we will not stand for it anymore," the protestor said in the video.

A surge of COVID-19 cases has started coming up again, filling up U.S. hospital beds and seeing younger patients than ever.

Majority of these younger cases are unvaccinated, and children under 12 are not eligible for the vaccine. Many are wondering what the beginning of the school year will look like now.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended everyone in schools wear masks indoors, no matter their vaccination status. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended the same earlier in the month.

Florida is one of the 35 states with more than a 50% increase in new cases during the last week.

A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis, Christina Pushaw has said, "Parents know what's best for their children; therefore, parents in Florida are empowered to make their own choices with regards to masking."

Barbara Rodas, who was at the protest and doesn't want her 6-year-old daughter to have to wear a mask in school said, "I'm here to advocate for her and for her school friends."