Seven-Year-Old Beaten at School For Father's Stand Against Homosexual Activism

LifeSiteNews ^ | 6/14/06 | John-Henry Westen and John Jalsevac

[wagglebee]

LEXINGTON, Massachusetts, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On May 17—the two-year anniversary of same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts—the first-grade son of a prominent pro-family advocate was dragged and beaten behind the Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington during recess, receiving multiple blows to the chest, stomach, and genital area.

Jacob Parker, the 7-year-old who was attacked, is the son of David Parker.  LifeSiteNews.com readers will recall that David Parker objected to homosexual curriculum in his son's kindergarten class.  At a meeting with the principal of the school last year Parker requested that the school inform him of when homosexual discussions would take place, so he could exclude his son from the activity. The principal refused and Parker said he would not leave until his request was granted. School administration called the police and had Parker charged with trespassing. (see coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/apr/05042910.html)

The school system has since continued to refuse to notify parents of such material being presented in class. On April 27, 2006, Parker, his wife, and another family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school system.

According to Mr. Parker, school authorities determined from an investigation into the assault that the beating was indeed planned and premeditated.

Mr. Parker described the incident at the school saying:

"During the recess period, a group of 8-10 kids suddenly surrounded Jacob and grabbed him. He was taken around the corner of the school building out of sight of the patrolling aides, with the taunting and encouragement of other kids. Jacob was then positioned against the wall for what appeared to be a well planned and coordinated assault.”

According to Parker, his son related that one student in particular performed the actual physical assault while, “many children stood, watched silently, and did nothing as the beating commenced.”

"The group of kids surrounded Jacob and he was beaten and punched. Then, as he fell to the ground, another child was heard saying to the group of children, 'Now you all can finish him off,' and as he was down on his hands and knees, the beating continued on his back. Then, fortunately, one little girl ran to contact the oblivious playground aides to stop it.

"Four of the attackers were from Jacob's first-grade class; the others were from other classes at Estabrook.

"The teachers' aide apparently determined that since she could not see external bleeding, and since Jacob apparently was not hit in the face, she did not send him to she school nurse." The family was immediately notified of the incident.

Speaking to LifeSiteNews, Parker speculated that the cause of the attack is most likely what he called “displaced aggression.” “If children hear venomous things from their parents, the children do internalize this,” he said.

“I certainly don’t want to vilify the children in this,” he said. “We understand that skirmishes happen on the playground. It’s taking the child around out of view of the aides, and the number of children that stood around watching that concerns us.”

Parker noted that his conflict with the school over homosexuality is well known among the students.  "We are aware that the school administration sent notices home with all the young children concerning the Parker arrest, the 'King and King' incident and the federal lawsuit," he said. “They must know that the children read them.”

He pointed out that the date of the attack--the two year aniversary of same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts--cannot be a coincidence.

The topic of Parker's beliefs has become so widespread among the students that Jacob says he overheard his fellow classmates ruminating that perhaps their current principle—who has resigned her position to take up a job elsewhere—was leaving the job because of Jacob’s father. Members of the community itself have organized public demonstrations specifically against Parker, in which their children have taken part. One of these demonstrations is pictured on the right. While prominently displayed in the student library are the back issues of the Lexington Minuteman that specifically deal with Parker’s case, for the children to read.

“We’re trying to be patient and tolerant," said Parker when asked if he was considering pulling his son out of the school. "We’re trying to hang on to the notion that the schools are for every child and for everyone. I don’t feel that we should have to leave for an injustice.”

But he added that “There are limits to how much patience we can have. I certainly understand why more and more parents are pulling their children out of public schools.”

Ironically, the school prides itself on its long-time involvement in various "Safe School" programs, which are geared to creating school environments "safe" for students who are homosexual.

Parker asked, "Isn't the school supposed to be addressing safety and preventing bullying and violence? Or are such programs only focused on children with homosexual parents? You can be certain that if this happened to a child with homosexual parents more would be made of this and that 'lessons' teaching tolerance and diversity of homosexual behavior normalization would be forced upon the young children."

The school and larger community are deeply divided over the Parker's stand against pro-homosexual indoctrination.  A group has been formed in Lexington to counter Parker's efforts.  The 'Lexington Cares' group maintains an anti-Parker website and has conducted anti-Parker letter writing campaigns and demonstrations. 

Calls to Estabrook school were not returned by press time.

To express your concern to Estabrook school contact:

Estabrook School
117 Grove Street
Lexington, MA
02420 USA

Phone: (781)861-2520 
Fax: (781)862-5610 

[Amelia]

The school could not find enough people to hire to supervise the kids. I think they had about 8 playground supervisors, and they have nearly 900 kids.

They let all 900 out at one time with only 8 people to supervise? That's nuts.

[Unam Sanctam]

I'm very sorry to see this happen to Parker's son, but this is what I predicted here about a year ago when I said Parker had used his kids as pawns. Most here thought differently. But much of the story has been distorted on these Lexington threads, much more in Parker's favor than it really was. Unfortunately, it's always the children who pay.

So basically you agree with the liberals that anyone who believes that homosexuality is immoral and should not be taught to one's children is a second class citizen not entitled to full rights in public schools?

[DBeers]

I suggest the delusional are those who twist a story around to fit into their particular crusade. Seems to happen a lot on the left, and occasionally on the right. Sometimes truth is irrelevant if a point can be made.

Truth and coherent thought -two things that get left by the wayside whenever homosexual delusion clouds rational thinking...

Disorder fosters and promotes disorder...

[MACVSOG68]

So basically you agree with the liberals that anyone who believes that homosexuality is immoral and should not be taught to one's children is a second class citizen not entitled to full rights in public schools?

If that's what you took out of my post, you're drifting rather aimlessly. I take it you are not too familiar with the real story of Parker?

[rfreedom4u]

Sounds like a lawsuit in the making. Will any of the kids be charged with a hate crime? We all must remember that being a heterosexual is not a crime and we all possess freedom of speech.

[rfreedom4u]

Sounds like a lawsuit in the making. Will any of the kids be charged with a hate crime? We all must remember that being a heterosexual is not a crime and we all possess freedom of speech.

[claudiustg]

---I understand this. But now it's time to protect his son.---

People came to this country very often fleeing persecution in the lands they left. Where do you want them to go now?

[MACVSOG68]

Truth and coherent thought -two things that get left by the wayside whenever homosexual delusion clouds rational thinking...

I could not agree more with you. I suggest you take that to heart. If a position (or crusade)can only be effectively promoted through lies, distortions and dissembling, I suggest there could be something wrong with the crusade.

[jwalsh07]

Why don't you tell us the "real story" MAC? And you better have your facts in a row because I live in CT and work in Massachusetts on a daily basis. I am quite familiar with the Parker case.

So, what have you got?

[MrCruncher]

Can you sue a school?

HE SHOULD.

(You think he can get the ACLU to take his case?)

[tioga]

Homeschool your son.

[Myrddin]

Speaking to LifeSiteNews, Parker speculated that the cause of the attack is most likely what he called “displaced aggression.” “If children hear venomous things from their parents, the children do internalize this,” he said.

Displaced aggression? It was premeditated assault. Criminal battery. Using 7 year olds as a proxy for adults to commit a crime that would result in prison sentence. Gang bangers often recruit kids under age 14 to commit murders knowing that they will not be prosecuted as adults. I'm betting some queer adults planned the assault.

[MrCruncher]

David Parker spoke to reporters yesterday with his wife, Tonia. Above, the cover of the book at issue. (Globe Staff Photo / Tom Landers)

Arrested father had point to make

Disputed school's lesson on diversity

By Maria Cramer and Ralph Ranalli, Boston Globe Staff | April 29, 2005

CONCORD -- For David Parker, the first alarm went off in January, when his 5-year-old son came home from his kindergarten class at Lexington's Joseph Estabrook School with a bag of books promoting diversity.

Inside were books about foreign cultures and traditions, along with food recipes. There was also a copy of ''Who's In a Family?" by Robert Skutch, which depicts different kinds of families, including same-sex couples raising children.

The book's contents concerned Parker and prompted him to begin a series of e-mail exchanges with school officials on the subject that culminated in a meeting Wednesday night with Estabrook's principal and district director of instruction. The meeting ended with Parker's arrest after he refused to leave the school, and the Lexington man spent the night in jail.

Yesterday, Parker was arraigned in Concord District Court on one count of trespassing, and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Bail was set at $1,000, and Parker was freed after being ordered to stay off Lexington school property. He is due back in court June 1.

Parker and his wife, Tonia, 34, who was also in court yesterday, said the dispute arose because they asked school officials to notify them about classroom discussions about same-sex marriage and what they called other adult themes. They also wanted the option to exclude their boy, now 6, from those talks.

Parker said he met with school officials to gain those assurances and then refused to leave until he got them. Parker stayed at Estabrook School for more than two hours, according to Superintendent William J. Hurley, as officials and Lexington police urged him to leave. Finally, they arrested him for trespassing.

Parker, who refused to bail himself out of jail Wednesday night, said he spent the night in custody to prove a point.

''I chose to stay, which I'm not sure was a wise move," he said. ''But I wanted to see how far they would go for asking something simple." Parker said he wanted to control ''the timing and manner" in which his son learned about ''adult themes."

''This is not about creating a forum for hate . . . for any segment of society," Parker said after his arraignment. ''I'm just trying to be a good dad."

Hurley did not return calls for comment yesterday. But in an April 27 letter to Parker, Hurley warned him to stay away from school property.

''If you are found on Lexington public schools' properties you will be subject to arrest by the Lexington police," Hurley wrote. ''Access to school properties can only be accomplished with prior written authorization from the superintendent of schools or his designee."

David Parker said he moved his family from New Jersey to Lexington last year after his employer relocated him. He acknowledged yesterday that he and his wife oppose same-sex unions, but they described themselves as Christians who do not advocate hatred.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/29/arrested_father_had_point_to_make/

[Hildy]

I want him to go someplace where they don't beat up his son.

[MrCruncher]

David Parker in handcuffs

[GladesGuru]

Any bets on whether "faculty" were involved in this?

If either a queer kid or a 'Normal" offspring of one of the Queer crowd had been beaten, there would be a swarm of investigations and lawyers, ACLU would be lipping off to every presstitute around, and the old media would be hyperventilating in unison.

But the beaten child was not queer, not was his family.

Hence the sound of silence.

[MrCruncher]

http://www.article8.org/docs/news_events/parker/main.htm

Lexington, Mass., father of 6-year-old arrested, spends night in jail over objections to homosexual curriculum in son's kindergarten class.
"Because of the same-sex marriage law people are treating this as a mandate to teach the youngest of children."
- David Parker, parent of 6-year-old, arrested Apr. 27, 2005

What you are about to read and see below is shocking and frightening, something that no one would have believed possible in America. But now in Massachusetts, propelled by the same-sex "marriage" ruling, this could become commonplace. Each month this reign of madness becomes more aggressive.

In this report, below, including photos:

Summary of what happened

Events leading up to the arrest
Including emails between Parkers and school officials. This actually started months before.

The arrest and court appearance
Including meeting & negotiation with school officials.

Arrogant acts by Lexington school officials
Their actions against Parker and parents afterwards were almost worse than the arrest itself.

Events since the arrest (plus photos) -- court appearances, vilification campaign by homosexual activist groups, demonstrations.

Some of the media coverage -- Local & national.





Summary of what happened

On April 27, a Lexington, MA, parent, David Parker, was arrested by the Lexington police and charged with "trespassing" at his son’s elementary school during a scheduled meeting with the principal and the town’s Director of Education over his objections to homosexual curriculum materials. Parker had asked for notification and possible opt-out for his son for homosexual curriculum or ad-hoc discussions by adults in his son’s kindergarten class. After several months of communication, he was repeatedly told that his requests are "not possible." He finally said he would not leave the meeting until this was resolved.

After being arrested and spending the night in jail, Parker was arraigned on Thursday, April 28, in Concord District Court. When he informed Judge Robert McKenna that he had not been allowed to call his lawyer, the judge scolded him for not being respectful. Parker was released on $1,000 surety bond. He was officially informed that he may not set foot on any school property in Lexington, or he will be arrested again for trespassing. A hearing was set for June 1, followed by court appearances on Aug. 2 and Sept. 19.

New superintendent is no different. During the summer, Dr. Paul Ash took over as superintendent of Lexington Schools from William Hurley, who was serving in an interim capacity. On Sept. 22, Ash announced he was ordering teachers to give NO notice when discussing homosexual relationships with children, even in elementary grades. (see report below). Ash also continues to enforce the no-trespass order against Parker. At the Sept. 19 court appearance, Judge McKenna gave Ash an extra 30 days to decide whether to lift the ban, after Ash had complained he hadn't had enought time.


Statement by David Parker (April 27, 2005):

“I, David Parker, am the father of a kindergarten student at Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington, Massachusetts. Since the beginning of this school year, my wife and I have learned that school materials and discussions about gay-headed households/same-sex union issues have been exposed to the children. There are definitive plans to increase the teacher/staff/adult mediated discussions of these subjects.

“We have officially stated on many occasions—to the Lexington school administration—a request that we be notified when these discussions are planned, and want our 6-year-old opted out of such situations when arising “spontaneously”.

“Our parental requests for our own child were flat-out denied with no effort at accommodation. In our meeting on April 27, I, insisted that such accommodation be made and refused to leave the meeting room. I was informed that I would be arrested.”



Events leading up to the arrest

Timeline of events and email exchange between Parkers and principal.
Extremely enlightening. This is the timeline of events starting in January and leading up to the final meeting and arrest on April 27.

Original book brought home by kindergarten class.
Here's the book, "Who's in a Family," that started it all. It came home with the Parker's kindergarten-age son in January. (Also, some of the books given out in other grades.)

Parkers attend elementary school's "Anti-Bias Committee" meetings.
Here's what the Parkers witnessed (and were told) -- a real eye-opener. In Massachusetts (and other places) much of a school's radical agenda gets in under the radar through these semi-official committes of radical teachers, administrators, and some parents, which operate outside of any formal oversight.

Other family in David Parker's elementary school leaves town over homosexual agenda in school.
David Parker is an unusual -- very special -- man, in that he was willing to stand up and fight for his rights. Unfortunately, too many parents feel so overwhelmed and or intimidated that they see their only option is to leave. (And this is exactly what the so-called "diversity" crowd likes to see happen!)

The night before arrest: Parker addresses the Lexington School Committee with his concerns, gets ignored.
The night before the final meeting (and arrest) David Parker spoke passionately before the School Committee about his situation. And they rudely ignored him. They wouldn't even give him the courtesy of a reply.


The arrest and court appearance
including meeting & negotiation with school officials

The meeting and "negotiation" -- followed by arrest, jail, and court appearance (plus photos).
Very dishonest tactics throughout, as the Superintendent pretended as if he were willing to reach a settlement with the Parkers, then at the end pulled the rug out and had him arrested.

Following the arrest, Superintendent makes public statements to discredit and demean Parker.
Read Superintendent's statements to the press, and his press release (sent with home with every child in the school). Unbelieveable.

Superintendent sends letter to Parkers officially denying their request to be notified when adults discuss homosexuality with their son.
Completely Orwellian - must be seen to be believed. Superintendent even gets the son's grade wrong (says "first grade" instead of "kindergarten"). It's clear he didn't actually read Parker's written request, since he continues to misstate concerns as primarily centering around the original book.


Gov. Mitt Romney on television making statement in support of David Parker.
Massachusetts Governor supports David Parker with statement on television the day following arrest:

"We have in Massachusetts a parental notification statute specifically in matters related to human sexuality. If a parent wants to be informed of what is being taught in a classroom and wants to have their child withdrawn from the classroom for that portion of the class dealing with human sexuality, that parent has the right." (Thurs., April 28)


Arrogant acts by Lexington school officials

Superintendent bans Parker from all school property indefinitely.
Initiated by then-Acting Superintendent William Hurley, and continued by new Superintendent Paul Ash (who took over July 1). David Parker cannot pick up his son from school, attend parent-teacher meetings, go to school plays or sports activities, go with his son to the recent "back to school" event, attend School Committee meetings -- or even vote on election day! The Superintendent of Schools refuses to lift the ban, even after all these months.

September 22 - Superintendent of Schools orders NO notice to parents on teaching homosexual relationships, even in elementary grades.
Unbelieveable; a first in America! You read this correctly. This must be the most draconian anti-parent edict by a public school administrator ever. In defending this move, Superintendent Paul Ash cites a very strange interpretation of Mass. Parental Notification Law (which WE wrote & got passed)!


Read the Massachusetts Parental Notification Act which the school is ignoring. In this case, the Superintendent claims that homosexuality is not about "human sexuality issues" but "real life" that must be taught to kids. [NOTE: This law was written and submitted before the Legislature by the current director of Article 8 Alliance. It passed in 1996 and was signed by Gov. Bill Weld.]


Events since the arrest --
court appearances, vilification campaign
by homosexual activist groups, demonstrations.

June 1 Court Appearance (plus photos):
Apparent heated discussion with judge regarding criminal trespassing charge. Lesbian activists show up at hearing to intimidate Parker supporters and influence news reporters. Case continued until Aug. 2.

June 5 - Statewide Rally for David Parker (plus photos)
At Celebration International Church in Natick, people came from all over Massachusetts to support David Parker (pictures). Great speeches! Outside - picketed by gay activists.

August 2 Court Appearance (plus photos)
More gay activists come to intimidate, but are completely overshadowed by numerous Parker supporters (pictures). Arrogant Lexington city officials continue to ban Parker from all school property, as son about to enter 1st grade. At hearing, jury trial scheduled for Sept. 21; Parker's lawyers give press conference.

September 6 - Rally for David Parker on Lexington Battle Green.
This says it all. Parker's friends and neighbors gather to give him support, make speeches, etc., on historic Lexington Battle Green. But gay activists organize a huge counter-demonstration to intimidate them, including left-wing church leaders and even elected public officials!

David Parker Rally on Battle Green (plus photos)
Parents gathered for rally at Lexington Battle Green to protest town's order keeping parent David Parker off all school property. Opponents want ban to stay - claim Parker's against "children, families, schools" because of his stand on parental notification on homosexuality.

Pro-gay counter-demonstration across street (plus photos)
Angry pro-gay supporters -- including local public officials & liberal clergy -- counter-demonstrate at David Parker rally.

David Parker's speech at Rally
David Parker's speech: "Parents stand your ground! Don't return their hate and intolerance when fired upon, But if they mean to have a war over our parental rights, Battling for the hearts and minds of our children, then let it begin here."

Police determine Parker's safety is threatened - escort him from planned TV interview (plus photos).
Police determine Parker's physical safety threatened by enraged pro-gay activists, refuse to let Parker do on-site TV interview; escort him away.

[SuziQ]

This was the first time his son was assaulted. He may have been taunted before, but was never physically hurt. This may be the straw that broke the camel's back.

He's trying to make a point that the school should be safe for EVERYONE, not just the 'pet social projects'. I wouldn't have kept my kid in there that long myself. The people in that school are nuts, but after all, this IS Massachusetts we're talking about. The land of "we're the professionals, don't try this at home".

[jwalsh07]

"Because of the same-sex marriage law people are treating this as a mandate to teach the youngest of children." - David Parker, parent of 6-year-old, arrested Apr. 27, 2005

You've heard that thesis before I think. Well, here is a case in point. Is it affecting Parker's marriage and family? One would certainly think so.

[MrCruncher]

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools
by Wendy McElroy
http://www.lewrockwell.com/mcelroy/mcelroy87.html

David Parker of Lexington, Mass., is scheduled to go on trial on Sept. 21 for asking his son's public school to provide parental notification before discussing homosexuality with the 6-year-old.

The actual charge is criminal trespassing. But the real issue is whether parents or schools will control the teaching of values to children.

The conflict began on Jan. 17, when Parker's then-5-year-old son brought home a Diversity Bookbag from kindergarten. Included was Robert Skutch's "Who's In a Family?" that depicts families headed by same-sex couples. Parker had wanted to decide for himself the timing and manner in which his son was introduced to the subject of homosexuality.

(The Bookbag is supposed to be a voluntary program but the Parkers knew nothing about it in advance.)

Parker immediately e-mailed the Estabrook school principal, Joni Jay. Parker expressed his belief that gay parents did not constitute "a spiritually healthy family"; he did not wish his son to be taught that a gay family is "a morally equal alternative to other family constructs."

Parker acknowledged the equal rights of gays but objected to "the 'out of the closet' and into the kindergarten classroom mentality." In essence, Parker highlighted the difference between tolerance, which acknowledges someone's right to make a choice, and acceptance, which is the personal validation of that choice.

The conflict moved quickly from the Diversity Bookbag to the more general issue of parental notification. The Parkers wanted to know if sexuality was scheduled to be discussed in class so they could remove their son. They also wanted their son removed from any "spontaneous conversations" about sexuality that involved an adult.

By law, Massachusetts requires schools to notify parents when sexuality is scheduled for discussion. Lexington School Committee chairman Thomas B. Griffiths explained, "We don't view telling a child that there is a family out there with two mommies as teaching about homosexuality." In an e-mail, the Estabrook school principal stated, "I have confirmed ... that discussion of differing families, including gay-headed families, is not included in the parental notification policy."

At an April 27 meeting at the school, Parker refused to leave without an assurance that he would receive parental notification. Arrested for criminal trespass, he spent the night in jail.

When asked why he insisted on staying, Parker replied, "I wanted to see how far they [school authorities] would go for [my] asking something simple."

The state now wishes to impose probation upon Parker, along with other restrictions – such as banning him from Lexington school properties without prior written permission from the superintendent of schools. This means he is barred from places to vote, as well as school committee and parent-teacher meetings.

Parker is contesting the charge. Why? After his arraignment, he stated, "I'm just trying to be a good dad." During a May 11 appearance on the FOX News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor," Parker expanded on this statement, saying that he wanted his son "to play on the swing set and make mud pies. I don't want him thinking about same-sex unions in kindergarten."

Parker's attorney, Jeffrey Denner, points to a larger issue – "the role of family and what kind of encroachments government can make into children's and people's lives."

Otherwise stated, schools are usurping the parental role of teaching personal values to children. They are not acting as educators but as guardians, "in loco parentis" (in the place of a parent). Some schools clearly consider this function to be their right, even over parental objections. Thus, Estabrook defends its "right" to teach Parker's son to accept same-sex marriages.

Denner hopes to resolve the conflict before trial but he also intends to file a civil suit in federal court against the town of Lexington, the school system and its officials.

Meanwhile, there seems to be a campaign to discredit Parker. The Lexington School Board has reportedly accused Parker of wanting to be arrested to grab "headlines." If true, it is strange that he wasted months on e-mails, faxes and school meetings before making his move. Parker's actions sound more like those of a father with no options left.

The school also claims that Parker's demands would prevent other children from discussing their families or drawing pictures of them.

But this is far from what's been officially requested. According to Neil Tassel, Parker's co-counsel, "the Parkers' proposal was simple: notify them in advance if there is a planned discussion about same-sex issues, and, if an adult becomes involved in a discussion spontaneously begun by a child, then remove their child from the discussion."

School authorities quite reasonably responded that they could not be held responsible for monitoring spontaneous conversations or remarks made in the class. Moreover, they contend that children with gay parents have a right to talk about their families and have their families represented.

At some point in the dialogue, however, reason broke down; police were called. The attacks on Parker have been so intense that Tassel recently found it necessary to write a defense in the local paper denying that his client is a shill for or member of Article 8, a controversial organization opposed to same-sex marriage.

He pointed to Parker's Ph.D. to deflect criticism of his client as an ignorant book burner. To counter the charge that Parker hates gays, Tassel described him as "an exceptionally kind-hearted man" whose best friend was gay.

Perhaps Estabrook authorities are trying to divert attention from the real question: Is Parker simply demanding parental notification or not? I think he is.

David Parker cares so deeply that he is willing to go to jail and endure a lengthy court process for the right to be a parent. In a world where a myriad of social problems can be traced back to parental abuse or indifference, it is incredible that Parker is being treated as a criminal and not as the hero he is.

August 11, 2005

Wendy McElroy [send her mail] is the editor of ifeminists.com and a research fellow for The Independent Institute in Oakland, Calif. She is the author and editor of many books and articles, including the new book, Liberty for Women: Freedom and Feminism in the 21st Century (Ivan R. Dee/Independent Institute, 2002).