North Kingstown School Committee Calls Police Over Mask Refusals

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The North Kingstown School Committee meeting came to an abrupt end Tuesday night when several residents in attendance refused to wear a mask. The committee also had to call the police to get the crowd to disperse.

During the meeting, which was streamed live on the school committee's YouTube page, committee Chair Gregory Blasbalg asked several times for people to put on a mask.

"We have a choice folks, it's a simple choice," Blasbalg said. "We can wear a mask, or we’re all going home."

Several people in the crowd refused, yelling,"My body my choice," "Medical exemption," and "Religious exemption." Many members of the audience cheered at people's refusals.

Some people honored the request, and the committee tried to continue on with the meeting, but Blasbalg noticed others weren't.

During public comment, one woman took the microphone without being recognized and accused the committee of discriminating against her. She yelled she has a medical exemption from wearing a mask.

"I have every right to speak out against these things," the woman said. "The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) does not know s*** about this virus, I know more than the CDC, so just carry on."

The CDC recommends indoor masking for all students, teachers, staff and visitors at school over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status.

After several attempts to get people to follow Gov. Dan McKee's school mask mandate, the committee voted to adjourn the meeting.

School officials called North Kingstown police to get the crowd to leave. Police said no arrests were made, and everyone left without incident.