Anti-Maskers Erupt, Disrupt Lakewood School Board Meeting

LAKEWOOD, OH — Anti-mask protesters disrupted Monday's Lakewood Board of Education meeting, refusing to comply with the board's mask mandate and screaming at board of education members.

The Lakewood Schools released a statement Tuesday morning accusing a group — composed largely of non-Lakewood residents — of intentionally disrupting the meeting.

"Due to the disruptions, which were often uncivil, and the inability to continue the meeting with decorum, the Board voted to adjourn the meeting prior to completing the agenda," the district said.

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The Board of Education and Lakewood Schools require everyone in district buildings to wear a mask. A group refused to wear masks, even while directly addressing the board.

Video showed speakers refusing to wear masks, claiming they could not "breathe and talk." A woman from Brooklyn, Ohio, who donned a "Trump Won" T-shirt, said the mask mandate would "kill our children or destroy their health." She also said the board's decision to follow mask mandates from a "corrupt government" was "ridiculous."

When the board tried to enforce the mask mandate, unmasked audience members exploded in swearing and insults, calling the members, "cowards." The board adjourned because members of the audience refused to comply with the mask mandate and many audience members were becoming disrespectful.

The district's statement on the meeting is below.

Video of the meeting is below.