Austin’s NBC affiliate reports:
As students were released from McCallum High School Tuesday afternoon, the district confirms roughly eight people stood outside with anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion signs.
“The protesters were on the sidewalk but were blocking the buses, so they were asked to move,” a spokesperson for AISD said. “Austin ISD Police officers were on-site to ensure everyone’s safety, and the protesters left after about an hour.”
KXAN does not share photos or videos of possible hate speech as standard practice, which is why we have not included photos in this story.
From the school’s principal:
Dear McCallum High School community, I regret having to share with you that about eight demonstrators with anti-LGBTQ and antiabortion signs arrived at our school today during dismissal. The demonstrators were on the sidewalk and were blocking the buses.
We immediately contacted our campus police who required the protestors to move out of the way of the buses and onto the public sidewalk.
Austin ISD Police officers remained on-site to ensure everyone’s safety, and the demonstrators left after about an hour.
If your child was exposed to this hateful demonstration and needs support, please contact our counseling team at 512-414-2519.
I want to emphasize that these hateful messages are in direct opposition to our values here at McCallum and to the values of our district. Austin ISD is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students and staff.
The video below was posted to YouTube by the preachers. As you’ll see, many of the students were not having it. It’s not clear why this particular school was targeted.