Tensions erupted at a City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meeting on April 15 when the mother of transgender and nonbinary children was forcibly removed during a heated discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Lena Kotler, a mother of three, was ejected from the meeting by four police officers after shouting a single word — “Cowards!” — toward board members during their discussion. A video recording of the incident shows Decatur School Board Chair Carmen Sulton immediately requesting Kotler leave the meeting.
“I said one word. I have already stated I have no intention of speaking again until public comment,” Kotler told officials before her removal. “I’m going to sit here. I have the right to be here. I have not used harsh language or threats.”
Despite her plea, Kotler was lifted from her chair and physically escorted out of the room while she voiced her objection. “I’m practicing my rights as a parent,” she said. “I’m not resisting, and this is what fascists do!”
Kotler’s protest came in response to the board’s vote later that evening to rescind the district’s equity policy and accompanying “Theory of Action,” which had previously committed to fostering inclusive, emotionally supportive learning environments.
According to Decaturish, three additional policies were revised to remove terms like “equity” and references to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination.
Speaking with 11 Alive News, Kotler said she was compelled to act on behalf of her children — one of whom is a transgender girl, another nonbinary, and the third autistic. “There are marginalized children and economically disadvantaged children in our district who rely on these programs,” she said.
“These decisions that affect this entire community were made with zero community input,” Kotler told 11 Alive after the meeting. “No effort was made to talk to the community to try and find solutions that could save these programs.”
Kotler was not charged with any crime following her removal.
The change in school policy is part of the ongoing concern about the Trump Administration’s crackdown on DEI and the threat to withhold federal funding from schools that do not comply.
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