Opposition at board meeting was intimidating, personal

The Nov. 11 article by Eric Peterson "District 211 adds topics of sexual orientation, gender identity to sex ed amid objections" failed to accurately describe the public comment and vote section of the D211 board meeting.

Reading his article, one might get the impression that it was a civil exchange of opinions and ideas. It was not. Peterson spent more space sharing points from those who spoke against the curriculum additions than those voicing support.

Missing was how some speakers blatantly tried to intimidate board members with hysterical rantings, personal threats and at least one speaker who shared personal information about board members akin to "we know where you live."

He also failed to mention that many of the attendees who opposed the curriculum change created a circus-like atmosphere. Many opposition attendees ignored the board chair's multiple attempts to regain control of the proceedings, and police officers escorted out at least one person.

Completely ignoring direction from the board chair, audience members continued to applaud and hooted and hollered for extended periods following their speakers, booed, yelled over and were generally disrespectful of those speaking in favor of the change.

After providing comments in support of the measure, my friend was verbally accosted by comments like "lazy pedophile" while walking back to their seat.

Ultimately, the board voted to approve adding the curriculum changes.

During the melee that followed the "yes" vote, opposition attendees screamed hateful and vitriolic things at the top of their lungs at the board members.

Peterson paints the meeting as a civil exercise when, in fact, those in opposition designed their attendance to be anything but.

I urge the Daily Herald reporters covering school board meetings to call attention to the childish and bullying behavior they see in the future.

Mark Bisaillon

Palatine