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Fayetteville Pride speakers seek apology after Board parking lot was blocked during June 20 event
Summary
Representatives of Fayetteville Pride and local residents told the Fayette County Board of Education that a public parking lot was blockaded June 20 during a Pride event and asked the board to explain the decision, apologize and improve direct communication with event organizers.
Katie Lauer, who said she represents Fayetteville Pride, told the Fayette County Board of Education on July 14 that a public event June 20 was disrupted when county vehicles blocked the Board of Education parking lot used by an Outpost event shuttle.
"I woke up the morning of the 20th and drove past the shuttle spot just to check it out," Lauer said. "It looked there were county vehicles that had blockaded and blocked off the lots." She said her group had used the lot for years and that blockading it on the day of the event, without contacting organizers, felt like "an extreme escalation." Lauer requested "a public apology" and asked for a direct phone contact so future misunderstandings could be resolved quickly.
Local resident Garrett Pritt, who supplied photographs to the board, said many visitors rely on the lot and that clear public-facing information about lot availability would help organizers and visitors alike. "If that information is no longer accurate, I believe it would simply be helpful for the Board and the Town to better work together to ensure residents and visitors receive clear and consistent communication," Pritt said.
Volunteer Neil Bateman, who said he served as a first-aid volunteer at the event, echoed calls for better communication and described the blockade as a surprise. Bateman added that he viewed the action as partisan and urged the board to do better in treating event participants respectfully.
Board chair noted speakers could leave contact information with the superintendent or staff and directed staff follow-up. The meeting record shows no formal board decision or apology during the July 14 session; board members signaled they would accept contact information and investigate the matter further.
