An Abbotsford school board meeting was disrupted earlier this week after 300 people gathered at the property to protest sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education. .
The Abbotsford School District was forced to end the Sept. 26 meeting due to the large gathering.
Kayla Stuckart, communications manager with the school district, says a group of demonstrators gathered at the office to voice their concerns regarding SOGI 123.
"Unfortunately, within the initial 30 minutes of the meeting, disruptions arose that significantly impacted business proceedings,” she says.
Abbotsford Police Department officers noticed an increasing number of people gathering in the area at 7 p.m. and confirmed there were about 300 people.
Video from the evening posted on social media shows staff standing up and leaving the meeting while one person can be heard saying, "If you want to speak in here, you have to be on the agenda."
Another video shows police officers escorting staff off the property while people in the crowd shout, "Leave our kids alone."
Stuckart says that “under the Abbotsford Police Department's guidance, trustees adjourned the public board meeting and district staff initiated emergency response procedures due to potential safety concerns."
One person who alleges they were at the meeting on Tuesday says the group was “threatening, banging on windows and doors and obstructing people."
Const. Art Stele says no arrests were made.
"Members also stood by, ensuring no violence or escalations would occur while members of the school board and staff of other surrounding office buildings in the area left their workplaces that evening,” says Stele.
The Abbotsford school board is now working to reschedule the meeting and says it will be shared on its website.
People gathered outside Abbotsford City Hall on Wednesday protesting and holding anti-SOGI signs that read, "Our kids our choice." There is also an alleged rally planned again at Abbotsford City Hall for Friday.
A poster shared on social media states another anti-SOGI rally is expected to take place at the school board office on Thursday at 7 p.m. Abbotsford School District’s Parent Advisory Council was supposed to have an in-person meeting at the same time and location; however, the meeting has been moved to Zoom.
Const. Stele says police will attend to ensure public safety if there is a demonstration.
What is SOGI?
The province's SOGI 123 program has been in place for six years and includes parental resources for those who want to learn more about it.
The policy essentially requires schools to have codes of conduct and anti-bullying policies that include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“Learning about SOGI in schools is not mandated, however, there are different ways inclusivity can be supported and ensured to be age appropriate. Examples could include diverse content in library books, pictures on walls reflecting the diversity of the community, and educators using inclusive language like ‘good morning everyone’ instead of ‘good morning boys and girls,’” states the ministry in a SOGI myth-busting document.
And while it is not part of curriculum, these issues may be addressed in classroom activities “to provide age-appropriate learning opportunities to help students understand the impacts of discrimination and improve awareness and understanding of the diverse people around them.”
The policy does not erase biological sex nor encourage students to transition, the ministry states.
