Protesters disrupt school meeting with dance and chaos

Listen To Story Above

Trans rights activists disrupted a Manhattan community education council meeting last week, performing an impromptu “Macarena” dance and causing chaos during the proceedings.

Approximately 100 protesters infiltrated the monthly Community Education Council gathering for District 2, creating disturbances throughout the session. Their disruptive tactics included heckling, blowing bubbles, and one activist even stormed the stage to occupy a seat at the members’ dais.

During the public comment segment, when Jo Vitale spoke to advocate for female athletes, the group launched into a silent, uncoordinated performance of the “Macarena.” Many masked protesters danced out of sync with the popular ’90s tune.

“I am here to speak up for the female athletes who are intimidated by this nonsense that is occurring behind me, all the dancing and the buffoonery,” Vitale said as the demonstrators performed their silent, slow-motion dance. “I’m speaking up for the female athletes who do not want to have biological males competing with them,” she continued, addressing the board that oversees the Upper East Side and much of Midtown.

Trans activists storm NYC schools meeting, dance ‘Macarena’ to protest support of female athletes https://t.co/XxwLLv0aCS pic.twitter.com/a3nBJwK9uh

— New York Post (@nypost) March 9, 2025

These protests have become a regular occurrence at CEC 2 meetings over the past year, following the advisory board’s adoption of Resolution 248. The resolution requested the city Department of Education to examine its policy allowing students to participate in sports teams aligned with their gender identity.

The demonstrations have intensified over time, with trans activists – most lacking children in District 2 public schools – organizing pre-meeting rallies and bringing doughnuts. A key organizer is trans educator Alaina Daniels, who manages an LGBTQ+ after-school program called Trans Formative Schools and aims to establish a “trans middle school.”

Prior to the recent meeting, the group conducted a strategic planning session and encouraged supporters to attend wearing pink, blue, and white – the colors of the trans flag. Their social media message emphasized that “Your physical presence makes the biggest impact.”

The disruptions have frustrated CEC members, who struggle to address crucial matters like academic performance and declining enrollment. “I appreciate their advocacy, but it’s completely misplaced,” said CEC 2 Vice President Leonard Silverman.

Two year olds behave better ~ ~ Trans activists storm NYC schools meeting, dance ‘Macarena’ to protest support of female athletes https://t.co/BrB39HgkTX pic.twitter.com/mQ3BV1B1QQ

— Mary (@matjendav4) March 9, 2025

Silverman explained that the controversial resolution won’t be reversed, and the DOE has already confirmed no review will take place. “But they still keep on showing up, and it’s really disruptive because it’s discouraged other parents from talking about other educational issues,” he added.

The meeting included discussions on two proposed resolutions: one supporting the DOE’s current sports policy and opposing Resolution 248, and another challenging President Trump’s executive order against “radical indoctrination in K-12 schools.” However, the group lost quorum, preventing votes on these measures.