Betsy DeVos Blocked by Protesters at School
Protesters Channel Game of Thrones to Block Betsy DeVos From Entering a School: "Shame!"
Betsy DeVos may have been sworn in as education secretary, but protesters are not going to make it easy for her. ABC News was on the scene as the billionaire Republican megadonor attempted to make one of her first school visits as head of the Education Department — and was blocked by angry protesters.
Sec. DeVos physically blocked by protesters from entering DC school--turned away and left. Unclear if she attempted another door. @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/buNgmOJbya
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) February 10, 2017
Roughly a dozen protesters formed a barrier in front of the back entrance to Jefferson Middle School in Washington DC, forcing DeVos to turn around and, apparently, abandon the visit. Amusingly, one protester can be heard channeling Game of Thrones while chanting "shame" at DeVos as she walked back to her car. For her part, DeVos remained as stoic as Cersei Lannister, the character who had to do a "walk of shame" on the show.
Sam Sweeney, an ABC reporter, captured the demonstration on Twitter.
Protesters not allowing Betsy DeVos' advance team near SW DC school where she's expected to visit pic.twitter.com/dC6m2IGbCc
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) February 10, 2017
Handful of protesters now standing in front of SW DC middle school ahead of visit by Sec. Betsy DeVos pic.twitter.com/uzhuyeXEeE
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) February 10, 2017
A protester explained why they had barred her from the school to ABC News: "She doesn't represent anything that they stand for."
The incident prompted the DC mayor to respond. While Mayor Muriel Bowser supported the right to demonstration, she also emphasized that DeVos should be welcomed if she wants to learn.
This bears repeating: Protest - peaceful protest - is fine but we do not condone violence towards anyone. (1/2)
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) February 10, 2017
