Many people came out Wednesday to protest National Guard members near schools in D.C.
The “No Guard at Bard” news conference brought Bard High School families and community groups to the Congress Heights Metro station with a message: “Keep troops and federal agents away from schools.”
National Guard members were also visible near the Metro station during the news conference.
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Among those speaking out was Jemira Ballinger, a sophomore at Bard High School in Southeast D.C.
“It’s very scary for me to come to school every day and just see them armed and standing around everywhere,” Ballinger said.
Organizers included the Bard Parent-Teacher organization, Ward 8 State Board of Education Representative Dr. LaJoy Johnson-Law, the Youth Power and Safety Collective, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and Free D.C. The event took place ahead of a community listening session at Bard with D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto.
Before heading into the listening session, the crowd heard from several speakers, including Johnson-Law.
“If this were your child, would you want them to see this on the way to school?” Johnson-Law asked. “If this was a rich neighborhood, would you find this acceptable?”
For Kiana Fossett, a Bard parent and vice president of the school’s parent-teacher organization, the responsibility extends beyond the troops themselves.
“I realize, and I respect the fact that the National Guard is just following orders, but following orders doesn’t make this OK, nor does it make it go away,” Fossett said.
Her questions were directed at those making the decisions.
“Why is this level of presence necessary around our schools? Who decided that this was appropriate? Were parents, educators, school administrators, community supporters consulted?” Fossett said.
Among those joining the families was Jermaine Collins with Common Defense, an Army veteran who said he spent nearly 10 years in the Army National Guard.
“This right here is not the mission of the National Guard. This is not the mission of our military,” Collins said.
Collins also questioned the attitude of military leaders toward the young people in the community.
“Think about your leaders and how excited they are to talk about tackling little Black kids to the ground,” Collins said.
His message extended beyond the troops stationed near Bard to the broader deployment in the District.
“D.C. doesn’t want the National Guard here. Veterans don’t want the National Guard here, and this occupation needs to end now,” Collins said.
Parents, students, community groups protest National Guard near DC schools 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-10-15 09:09:29
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