Newly confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was blocked by protesters as she attempted to enter a Washington, D.C., school.
DeVos was confronted by the group of protesters outside Jefferson Middle School Academy in Southwest D.C., on Friday as she arrived to make her first visit as Secretary of Education to a public school, Fox News reported.
The following video shows protesters physically blocking DeVos from being able to go up stairs to enter the school. “You should be so proud of yourself,” one yells after she turned away:
Sec. of Education Betsy DeVos was initially blocked by protesters as she tried to enter public middle school in D.C. https://t.co/BEy7rz1dM8 pic.twitter.com/NeLaZEEA3J
— ABC News (@ABC) February 10, 2017
The road by the front entrance to the school was blocked by a teacher/parent “vigil” and Black Lives Matter protesters obstructed her attempt to enter from the back of the school.
Thank you SW DCfor standing up for our children. Keep Betsy DeVos as far away as possible. ✊️#TheResistance pic.twitter.com/XaX9ANh1Mi
— Truth Reigns (@FrReigns) 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
One man holding a Black Lives Matter sign stood in front of her vehicle as DeVos was being driven away. He stepped aside after fellow protesters directed him to “let her leave.”
The small group of protesters shouted “shame, shame” at DeVos who was led back into her vehicle after being physically blocked from entering the school.
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
The controversial pick by President Donald Trump faced fierce opposition from Democrats and teachers unions before being confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday to lead the Department of Education, with Vice President Mike Pence casting a historic tie-breaking vote.
The protesters outside of the Washington school clashed with police as DeVos arrived with her security detail.
Protesters clash with police and Sec. DeVos security detail ahead of school visit. @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/TKIzq8xwMt
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) February 10, 2017
She was eventually able to enter the school where she reportedly met with teachers union officials.
DeVos issued a statement Friday afternoon saying “I respect peaceful protest, and I will not be deterred in executing the vital mission of the Department of Education.”
Betsy DeVos statement: “I respect peaceful protest, and I will not be deterred…” pic.twitter.com/KUu5Tc9zz2
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 10, 2017
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, spoke out against the protests in a tweet on Friday.
Just heard a protester blocked & almost knocked Secy @BetsyDeVos down at Jefferson.We don’t condone such acts.We want her to go to pub schls
— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) February 10, 2017
Weingarten, a Democrat who opposed DeVos’ nomination, said she welcomed visits to public schools by the new Secretary.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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