VANCOUVER, Wash. – After anti-mask protesters recently put some Vancouver schools into lockdown, a Clark County judge granted an injunction barring demonstrators from holding disruptive protests near school campuses.
The Vancouver School District said the injunction prohibits any protests, rallies, or gatherings that disrupt educational services from convening “on or within a one-mile radius of any Vancouver School District building or grounds."
The injunction will stay in effect as long as Washington’s state-issued mask mandates are in effect.
“Our district understands and supports free speech and the right for people to be involved in peaceful protests,” said Superintendent Jeff Snell.
However, our first priority is to ensure student and staff safety and an educational environment free of disruption. This responsibility prompted us to present our concerns to the court.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Suzan Clark granted the injunction after a protest last Friday (Sept. 3) that sent three Vancouver schools into a lockdown.
District officials said protests were also scheduled for September 7, 8 and 9.
More from the district:
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Washington state has mandated that all students and staff members wear masks or other appropriate facial coverings in schools and on school buses. This state requirement was a legally binding decision by the governor and cannot be overturned by local districts.