A Maryland schools superintendent is urging students protesting President-elect Donald Trump to stay in class or face disciplinary action.
After violence broke out Wednesday morning at a student-led protest, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith issued a video message saying he expected “all students to remain in school and participate in the daily educational program as intended,” WTOP reported.
“If students do not comply with these expectations, they may be subjected to the regular disciplinary actions that align with whatever infraction is involved,” Mr. Smith said in the video, which was shared in schools Thursday.
His comments came after a pro-Trump teenager wearing a “Make American Great Again” hat was beaten by a group of student protesters outside Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville on Wednesday.
“When students are threatened or injured as part of a protest, it raises serious safety issues that require us to rethink the situation,” Mr. Smith said. “Our goal is to keep our students safe, under adult supervision and engaged in the learning process.”
Mr. Smith also addressed a recent “trend” in hate-related vandalism after swastikas and racial slurs were found scrawled on bathroom walls in at least two Montgomery County schools, WTOP reported.
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“These are deeply disturbing incidents,” Mr. Smith said. “Vandalism is illegal. This type of horrible vandalism is illegal.”
Students caught vandalizing school property or engaging in hate speech will be punished, he said.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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