Lafayette council hears broad public debate over protests outside elementary school, free-speech limits and safety

Dozens of residents addressed the Lafayette City Council on April 28 over protests outside Lafayette Elementary School, with speakers divided between defending protesters’ First Amendment rights and raising safety and student-welfare concerns.

Supporters of the protesters, who have been holding signs near the school’s pick-up and drop-off times, told the council the demonstrations take place on a public sidewalk and do not obstruct movement. “Freedom of speech is the bedrock of our democracy and 1 of our most cherished rights under the constitution,” said Sheila Castilla, a resident, during the public-comment period. Joan Bellegarde (identified in comment as Jack Belgard) said protesters do not block sidewalks and that “good speech is how you combat bad speech.” Kristen Anderson urged local safety changes — including lowering the speed limit around the drop-off zone — as an alternative to restricting signs.

Other speakers framed the demonstrations as protests about school policies related to gender identity and so-called gender-affirming care for minors. Teacher Lisa Disbrow, who said she resigned from public school teaching over perceived violations of…