A heated protest on sexual minority rights outside a California school degenerated into a massive brawl with parents exchanging fisticuffs..Several hundred protestors gathered outside of the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) Headquarters in Glendale — many waving American and Pride flags, according to a Wednesday press release. .The release said the opposing side represented parents who oppose GUSD policies supporting a sexual minority curriculum. .The Glendale Police Department (GPD) was present to ensure public safety and facilitate peaceful protests. .While most of the protest was peaceful, the release said a small group of people engaged in behaviour deemed unsafe. Despite police attempts to de-escalate the situation, at least three people were arrested for various charges, including unlawful use of pepper spray and wilful obstruction of officers in the course of their duties. .After the initial arrests, additional attempts to de-escalate the crowd failed. .The release went on to say a dispersal order was issued after 6 p.m. once the protest exceeded the bounds of a peaceful assembly. It said additional police resources were requested to ensure the safety of the Glendale community would not be compromised. .The GPD said it acknowledges and respects people’s right to peaceful assembly and to have their voices heard. It encourages continued open dialogue and constructive engagement with community members. .This ordeal comes after Grade 11 St. Joseph’s Catholic High School student Josh Alexander was taken into custody by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) after he was involved in a confrontation with pro-sexual minority counterprotestors outside a high school on May 17. .READ MORE: UPDATED: Josh Alexander arrested in Calgary after fight breaks out at protest.A protestor started pushing Alexander outside Western Canada High School. He moved his way through the crowd, but a person blocked him. .The video shows him go around an activist, but others started to push him.
A heated protest on sexual minority rights outside a California school degenerated into a massive brawl with parents exchanging fisticuffs..Several hundred protestors gathered outside of the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) Headquarters in Glendale — many waving American and Pride flags, according to a Wednesday press release. .The release said the opposing side represented parents who oppose GUSD policies supporting a sexual minority curriculum. .The Glendale Police Department (GPD) was present to ensure public safety and facilitate peaceful protests. .While most of the protest was peaceful, the release said a small group of people engaged in behaviour deemed unsafe. Despite police attempts to de-escalate the situation, at least three people were arrested for various charges, including unlawful use of pepper spray and wilful obstruction of officers in the course of their duties. .After the initial arrests, additional attempts to de-escalate the crowd failed. .The release went on to say a dispersal order was issued after 6 p.m. once the protest exceeded the bounds of a peaceful assembly. It said additional police resources were requested to ensure the safety of the Glendale community would not be compromised. .The GPD said it acknowledges and respects people’s right to peaceful assembly and to have their voices heard. It encourages continued open dialogue and constructive engagement with community members. .This ordeal comes after Grade 11 St. Joseph’s Catholic High School student Josh Alexander was taken into custody by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) after he was involved in a confrontation with pro-sexual minority counterprotestors outside a high school on May 17. .READ MORE: UPDATED: Josh Alexander arrested in Calgary after fight breaks out at protest.A protestor started pushing Alexander outside Western Canada High School. He moved his way through the crowd, but a person blocked him. .The video shows him go around an activist, but others started to push him.
