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 

[metmom]

P.S. (So sorry for the delayed ping!)

Don't sweat it. You'd be surprised how many good threads I've missed the first time around. Better late than never.

[bvw]

If the spell checker was an educated human being they should have caught it. Robots are dumb.

Simple spelling hint: "The Principal is your pal!"

[MACVSOG68]

BTW... how much money did it take FR for it's legal defense? Asking for money for help in legal defenses is AOK with me, you make it seem like he is just pocketing it (or twisting arms).

Free Republic doesn't go on other sites to do its fundraising, for one, nor get its money by lying about the case as Parker is doing. Free Republic comes right out with its policies. When you contribute to FR, you know why. When you contribute to Parker, you are doing so under a shroud of lies.

BTW. I pinged JR because you earlier barked about posts with peoples names should be pinged.

So then you must agree that it's at least an ethical practice?

You now say anyone that allows their children to go to school in Mass and holds the beliefs of teaching about homosexuality is wrong is an hypocrite.

Please tell me where I said that. It is, of course incorrect. You continue to be misled.

But you will not see me condemning parents for actually using schools THEIR taxes pay for (and in Mass, that is not cheap).

I condemn no one for utilizing that which is provided for by taxes.

This parent has every right to tell the public schools not to push their "godless" religion upon 1st grade children. He has every right to keep his child in school that his tax dollar support.

Right on both counts. If he feels there is something being taught there he is not in agreement with, he can address the school board, or like he has done now, can file a lawsuit. None of that is of any concern to me. People do it all the time.

Again, you act as if this man sired his kids for this purpose. Having three kids, you can bet your bottom dollar I sure didn't have them for political pawns purposes, but if the occasion arose, I would be right in his position (probable worse, because my temper tends to get the best of me).

The difference is you took one of the very options Parker had but chose not to use. Perhaps you do care more for your children's education.

So either you would act like me (and probable be in jail), or you do exactly what this gentleman in doing using the expensive court system (and politely asking for help to pay for it).

I don't recall you saying you'd been in jail? But no, I would not do what this "gentleman" has done.

Now if your a wuss, you just tuck tail and run, like the libs hope you will, like you suggested he should of done.

Again, please tell me where I said that. You really don't have to lie to make your point.

BTW.. I made a donation in your name... thanks for lingering on the subject long enough for me to find out his web site/donation link.

You're entirely welcome. And I intend to linger a while longer, because at least the real story should be told. As for making a donation in my screen name, two points. First, I think it is against this forum's policy to use other's screen names for activities outside of FR. Second, I don't blame you for not wanting to associate yours with it.

Take care.

[MACVSOG68]

BTW... since you imply that he is probable doing this to get rich

And I said that where? I doubt there are enough fools in the world to make him rich. A few extra bucks though to help him get through his "trauma" won't hurt though, will it?

Hoep the other one was for $200,000, cause my donation (in your screen name) will not pay for his bandwidth of his web site.

One can only hope....

Take care.

[MACVSOG68]

For all you fine folks here who decried my questioning of the Parker child beating story, perhaps you might want to read the real story. I doubt that David Parker will be telling this one. But since some of you know him personally, perhaps you could ask him.

Contrary to a statement released on June 14 by Brian Camenker of MassResistance, an altercation that involved David Parker's son at Lexington's Estabrook School was totally unrelated to his father's activism. Lexington C.A.R.E.S. views the accusations in the MassResistance press release as baseless, meaningless and without merit. This is nothing more than another publicity stunt by Brian Camenker.

Dr. Paul Ash, Lexington Superintendent of Schools, says, "The school department is conducting a thorough investigation. The safety of all children is our utmost concern." A statement is expected after the investigation is complete.

Staff and parents at Estabrook School have related the following account of what happened on May 17.

A classmate, who is a friend of Mr. Parker's son, was mad at him because he sat in someone else's seat at lunch. At recess, the boy went over and started punching him. Other children stood around and watched. The playground aide noticed a cluster of children and headed over. She was met half way by a girl who ran to get help. The aide soon arrived and broke up the fight between these two 7-year-olds. Mr. Parker's son indicated to the aide that he was not hurt and that he did not want to go to the nurse.

The classmate who started the fight was brought into the assistant principal's office to write a "think sheet". He had to write down what he did wrong, what he could have done differently and how he could make it up to his friend. He also missed two recesses and wrote an apology to Mr. Parker's son. Mr. Parker's son wrote back "that's OK. You can still be my friend."

That afternoon the teacher discussed the issue with the entire class using the Open Circle format. At that time both boys had their arms around each other and were friends again. The teacher called both sets of parents and everyone seemed to be satisfied with the outcome.

Mr. Parker's son subsequently went to the other boy's house for a play date. The Parkers never contacted anyone at the school including the principal, assistant principal, nurse or teacher to say their son had been injured or that they were dissatisfied with how things had been handled. They also never contacted the school superintendent or the police to say their son had been "assaulted".

The MassResistance press release also stated that editions of the Lexington Minuteman newspaper with front page stories related to the Parker case were being prominently displayed in the Estabrook School library. The Estabrook librarian has said that the Parkers had been to the school library looking for old copies of the Lexington Minuteman newspaper. She directed them to a pile of newspapers that were on a stand above the view of young children.

It is our understanding that these two boys are still friends, thanks to the quick intervention of the aide and the teacher, and that the Parkers never complained to the school about the incident. It's a shame that Brian Camenker would misrepresent this incident and try to further divide our community.

I want to thank each of you for you knee-jerk, hate filled comments to me. But they say a lot more about you than they do me. Next time, check out a story first.

Take care and God bless.

http://www.lexingtoncares.org/ChildsAltercationUnrelated.html

[DBeers]

I want to thank each of you for you knee-jerk, hate filled comments to me. But they say a lot more about you than they do me. Next time, check out a story first.

I tend not to rely on pro-homosexualization of society activist organizations such as the one you reference when checking out any story...

[b9]

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

~ megabump ~

[MACVSOG68]

I tend not to rely on pro-homosexualization of society activist organizations such as the one you reference when checking out any story...

Really? Which sites do you check out the story with, since I didn't really think you had checked it out? And since you checked it out, what are your conclusions?

[DBeers]

Really? Which sites do you check out the story with, since I didn't really think you had checked it out? And since you checked it out, what are your conclusions?

My conclusions are that truth always wins out -and as such I worry not about pretending I must help balance it out to reach some pleasing version as you do...

Objectively the fact that one side promotes homosexuality as normal tells me that the horse race you claim to wish fair and balanced is far from it.

The homosexuality is normal crown is delusional coming out of the gate and as such always supect...

[MACVSOG68]

My conclusions are that truth always wins out -and as such I worry not about pretending I must help balance it out to reach some pleasing version as you do...

So in other words you didn't check it out? You still didn't answer my question. Do you still believe the original story? Simple question.

[b9]

Since the poster of 345 is now banned,
how can anyone believe the post?

[DBeers]

LOL

;-)

[Constitution1st]

Could not agree more! This father is responsible for his son; after he knew there were protests against him, AND a website, he should have taken steps to protect his son!

And still he says that they cling to "the schools being for everyone"! This one is not too smart. And he seems to be lazy about his responsibilities!

Poor child; I hope he does not experience another beating before someone steps in and slaps the father!

[Constitution1st]

A leftist, probably from Lexington! Put up a URL for that disgusting place. I would not believe anything from him. Glad to see that he was banned. An agenda is ever there was one!

[LowOiL]

For all you fine folks here who decried my questioning of the Parker child beating story, perhaps you might want to read the real story. I doubt that David Parker will be telling this one. But since some of you know him personally, perhaps you could ask him.

Ahhh, the good ole Lexington cares web site is the source of your truth... The group is led by well-known lesbian activist Meg Soens, who was involved in the infamous GLSEN "Fistgate" conference in 2000. (Soens also runs a second pro-homosexual Lexington website, www.RespectingDifferences.org )

BTW... you remember fistgate don't you? Lets see who was working with promoting that... Hummm... Meg Soens...

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:W_aT3L93nlkJ:www.massnews.com/past_issues/other/8_Aug/auggs5.htm+Meg+Soens+fistgate&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

Excert below...

How lesbian parents approached and worked collaboratively with school system administration to develop plans for integrating gay and lesbian issues in elementary anti-bias curriculum. How we approached multiple levels, integrated our goals with anti-bias curriculum and explicit core values of the Lexington Public Schools. Also offered in Workshop A. Olin 109

BTW.. you can see a picture of Soens during her marriage to Celia d’Oliveira -------->

http://www.uua.org/news/freedomtomarry/freedomweek2005.html

Funny thing, on her site "just the facts" She has selectively printed several letters to the editor (none of which are against her position of course). What is odd is that she doesn't mention that ONE of the letters to the editor is from her lover/wife/it ... Hummm.. funny huh... sounds like something a person in support of teaching kids how to fist would behave... just the facts now... sorry.. if these facts don't put your arguement in a favorable light.

BTW... since there is NO homosexual support in this case in the schools, you will have to disregard that Ms. Soens also has a child in that school, she taught fistgate , and she runs a gay web site still promoting that agenda.

That is your fact source... just thought I would let everyone know because you definately were not going to tell that side of the story, now were you! You sure had ample time to do it if you were, would of saved me a lot of time researching this.

I will leave you with one final QUOTE from Mr. MACVSOG68... "I want to thank each of you for you knee-jerk, hate filled comments to me. But they say a lot more about you than they do me. Next time, check out a story first Take care and God bless."

Take your own advice sir... I may suggest you not take the word of someone whom most of us understand as the central poster type of DU as your main source on facts. Teaching and preaching fistgate people (http://www.respectingdifferences.org/) will not be my sources...

Good day sir...

LowOiL

[LowOiL]

Well durn, I take hours compiling a post to him, and he is banned before I get it to him...

LOL...

[LowOiL]

I was IBTZ .. BTW

[jwalsh07]

Our discussion did not revolve around a playground fight. Our discussion was about parental notification and your specious claim of knowledge of the "real story" about David Parker and his arrest for taking a stand to protect his parental rights.

I anxiously await the "real story". Thus far all I've gotten from you is conjecture, opinion and why you disagree with how Parker raises his son.

[DBeers]

Good info -some of which I was not even aware of...

[Jorge]

What's the matter? Is the test too hard?

You crack me up.