At the Board of Orange County Commissioners’ recent business meeting, a draft ordinance was brought forth that would put regulations around where public protests could be staged near school grounds.
Orange County School campuses have been the sites of several demonstrations over the past year. Groups, including some members of the right-wing extremist group named The Proud Boys, have gathered at school board meetings and on school grounds to protest mask mandates, school curriculum and books available in school libraries.
If passed, the measure would make any sort of picketing within 1,000 feet of school property or playgrounds during school hours be deemed as trespassing. The draft ordinance says trespassing charges, which is a misdemeanor crime, would be the maximum penalty, while fines or equitable relief are other potential outcomes for offenders.
The county commissioners are considering the measure after receiving feedback from school community members earlier this year about protests near schools. Groups gathered at school board meetings, during a high school football game and sometimes by building entrances during school hours to protest.
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Renée Price told 97.9 The Hill that students and teachers alike have since shared those protests made them uncomfortable or even scared while at school. During a prior discussion of an ordinance, Commissioner Jean Hamilton said during the goal of exploring such an measure is more about having a safe environment than preventing freedom of speech.
“We’re in no way trying to restrict anyone’s right to speak,” Price agreed, “which is why we’re only looking at schools rather than looking at all public properties, and trying to put regulations on time, place, all of that. But our concern really is the learning environment of our children.”
Price said even though she is not a parent herself, she understands the challenges of balancing how school-aged children experience the world. She said the county values providing them places to learn and places to feel safe.
“You want to inform them of life, but at the same time you do want to protect them from things that are disturbing or could cause trauma,” said Price. “And that was the issue we were really dealing with when we got a report from the school. They had gotten some statements by some of our young people and they were very disturbed some of the things they had seen and heard. So, that’s why we want to get this in place.”
More recently, student-organized walkouts at schools have been more commonplace. Several high schools and middle schools in Orange, Chatham and Durham counties experienced students demonstrating to advocate for issues like gun reform and abortion access.
According to Orange County’s draft ordinance, those student-run protests WILL still be allowed. There is a provision saying enrolled students at the school in question will not be subject to the same 1,000-foot buffer.
Price recalled participating in walkouts herself as a college student. She said she was supportive of the students’ demonstrations not only because they were peaceful, but because she sympathizes with their values.
“Just because they’re young doesn’t mean they lack intelligence,” the county commissioners chair said. “When I look back at some of the papers and tests I did in high school, I’m like, ‘Wow, I knew all of that information?’
“These are young minds that take in a lot of information,” Price added. “They’re still trying to process it and I do believe that as long as they’re peacefully protesting, I think they should be allowed to do so.”
If adopted, the ordinance would initially just be in effect for Orange County Schools campuses. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools would need their own regulations as decided by the town governments.
Due to a state law, the Orange County commissioners were required to hold a second reading on the draft ordinance before voting on it. The measure will be considered for adoption at the board’s next business meeting on Tuesday, June 21.
Photo via WTVD/ABC 11.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines