Diplomas Withheld, Arrests Made After People Cheer At Graduations
Public displays of enthusiasm will not be tolerated, citizen.
Cheering on your family and friends at graduation has become a risky proposition as schools around the country have cracked down on celebrations, withholding diplomas from students and arresting parents who “misbehave” during commencement.
In Florence, S.C., proud mother Sharon Cooper was handcuffed and escorted out of the arena where daughter Iesha Cooper was graduating from high school last Saturday. According to South Carolina news station WPDE, the school had warned parents earlier that anyone who cheered or yelled during the roll call would be escorted from the building, and that people who were disorderly while being led out would be arrested.
Cooper was taken out of the civic center and placed in handcuffs, according to the report.
“‘Are you all serious? Are you all for real?’ I mean, that’s what I’m thinking in my mind,” Cooper told WPDE.”I didn’t say anything. I was just like OK, I can’t fight the law.”
Cooper was placed in a police van and taken to a detention center for several hours before posting a $225 bond, according to the station. Cooper, who was charged with disorderly conduct, could not be reached for comment.
A spokeswoman for the Florence school district, Pamela Little-McDaniel, told ABC News that because three high schools were graduating together, it was important to ensure that every parent was able to hear their child’s name called. The school sent out multiple notices to all parents requesting their cooperation and warning them that cheering or yelling could get them removed by police from the ceremony.
The school did warn parent and students, I guess, and they chose to cheer anyway. And I can understand other parents being disappointed that they can’t hear their kids’ names. But does anyone really want to live in a country where cheering your loved ones as they graduate is illegal?
There has to be a better solution than this.
Tags: Asshats, free speech
