Demonstrations Outside School Against LGBT Education Banned By High Court Judge

Demonstrations Outside School Against LGBT Education Banned By High Court Judge

By Gavin Mackintosh-

A judge has  ruled against demonstrations outside a primary school in Birmingham objecting to LGBT inclusive education.

A High Court judge ruled in favour of an exclusion zone to remain around Anderton Park, in Birmingham. The school say protests had an adverse effect on pupils, residents and staff, leading to 21 teachers being treated for stress, Mr Justice Warby said.

DISRUPTIVE

Birmingham Council who lodged the court case  said  the demonstrations had been very disruptive to teachers and pupils at Anderton Park school, in the Sparkhill area of the city.

Protesting parents insist the teaching is against  their Islamic faith and is not “age appropriate”.

The judge placed the injunction  against  the named lead protester Shakeel Afsar, his sister Rosina and Amir Ahmed, all of whom contested the need for a legal injunction. He imposed 80% of the costs against those individuals.

On Tuesday, Dr Tim O’Neill, director of education and skills at the council, said the judgement had vindicated the school and would protect the community from escalating levels of antisocial behaviour.

He said: “As this court case has demonstrated, there remains a gap between the reality of what is and isn’t being taught at the school. Protests of this kind only serve to attract fringe elements whose aim is to stoke division and hatred. We would therefore continue to encourage any concerned parents to engage with the school to have constructive discussions and address any issues.

“Looking ahead, it is important to remember that the Department for Education is introducing compulsory relationships education next year, helping children from all backgrounds understand the society they are growing up in, and fostering respect for others and for difference.”

The protesters plan to appeal the ruling, with some of the protesters claiming they would continue to protest at the edge of the exclusion zone. That would be contempt of court.

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