Far Right Escalates Conflict at March 8 School Board Meeting

Right-wing extremists were out in full force at the March 8 school board meeting, ramping up intimidation tactics.

Public comments began with someone who claimed to be a local student decrying the board using "kids as political pawns for political gains." He claimed teachers lecture that abortion is good. "What oppression have Black people faced other than you tokenizing them?" he asked.

White supremacist talking points were not limited to minors. J.B. Marcus described the board's actions over the past two years as "oppressive, abusive, communistic" and “radical left globalist madness.” "Globalist" is a common dog-whistle for far-right conspiracy theorists, and white nationalist groups frequently use the term interchangeably with "Jew." 

Marcus went on to deny his own white supremacist associations, directing insults at local organizer Felipe Albertao.

Activist Amber Easley spoke about the recent visit of extremist Jared Gustafson to a high school Black Student Union meeting. Gustafson, Easley said, who has been publicly accused of abusive grooming behavior, should not have been allowed access to students, especially in a district that has spent over $40 million since 2016 to settle sexual predator suits. The district, Easley said, "can not afford... to keep entertaining this man."

Marcus, seeming not to comprehend, yelled he would be outside to "discuss racism," claiming he be was being "targeted."

Board president Jim O'Neill said he was "disappointed" and Marcus was asked to leave.

Heidi Stutzman of Highland told the board they were being served letters of intent, stating they had five business days to meet demands. She did not state what those demands were. The stunt appears to be a part of the Q-Anon "Bonds For The Win" strategy, which has so far proven unsuccesful in other cities. The board appeared unfazed, suggesting perhaps they were informed of the impotence of these nuisance suits during their March 1 closed session on "anticipated litigation." Safe Redlands Schools activists confirmed the board was aware of the right-wing group's intent prior to the meeting.

The meeting concluded with board member Alex Vara sharing his enthusiasm about the "awesome" Black history month activities he saw across the district and O'Neill sharing statistics for International Women's Day. O'Neill also mentioned that his wife was in the medical profession for several decades. He then thanked the public for "behaving most of the time."