A Georgia mother was forcibly removed from a school board meeting Tuesday night after saying just one word out of turn.
Lena Kotler, a mother of three, was manhandled by four police officers at a recent City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meeting for speaking out against proposed changes to the district's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Kotler shouted "Cowards!" at the board members, after which a recording of the meeting shows Board Chair Carmen Sulton asking her to leave.
"I said one word, I have already stated I have no intention of speaking again until public comment," Kotler said. "I'm going to sit here, I have offered that if it makes the board feel comfortable you as a security employee are welcome to sit next to me. If I speak again outside of public comment, I will leave. I have the right to be here, I have not used harsh language or threats."
The officers then approached Kotler, who remained seated, and forcefully lifted her out of her seat before dragging her out of the room.
"I'm practicing my rights as a parent. I'm in no way resisting," Kotler said as she was being carried out. "I'm not resisting and this is what fascists do!"
The board ultimately voted to rescind the district's equity policy, which previously promised to “provide an inclusive and emotionally supportive environment, free from discrimination," as well as its “Theory of Action,” which stated that “all learning environments must be inclusive, safe, secure, and supportive while also ensuring that no student group is marginalized," via Decaturish.
Three other policies were changed to remove words such as “equity” or “ADA" — the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
Kotler told Atlanta News First shortly after her removal that she was there to speak up for her children, one of whom is a transgender girl, one of whom is nonbinary, and one of whom is autistic. She noted again that “there are marginalized children and economically disadvantaged children in our district who rely on these programs."
“It’s beyond evil that anyone is threatening these programs,” said Kotler. “Our children spend a huge chunk of their lives at school, where they develop their sense of self and self-worth. If we stop programs and policies that make those spaces inclusive and safe for everyone, we know what happens.”
