Some Schools Won't Show Inauguration Due to Potential Violence

Some school districts will not livestream President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in an attempt to shield students from potential violence.

KRLD reported some Texas independent school districts were worried about "potential unforeseen disruption" because of threats from extremist groups.

The Plano ISD said it will not show Wednesday's swearing in ceremony in the name of "protecting" its young adults and in an effort to "ensure equitable access in learning experiences," per Breitbart.

One teacher in the Keller ISD told NBC's Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate that parents were informed the inauguration "would be recorded, edited, and not be shown live to students."

At least one parent with a son in the Plano district questioned the district's approach.

"It's history, regardless of what happens, that possibility [of violence] is there at any given point in time," the father told NBC 5. "So, if we think that's a realistic possibility for that to happen, what conversations are we having before the event?"

School workers said the decision to not livestream the event came following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in which five people died.

"Is there the possibility of their being violence or something that may traumatize a child, especially one where we don’t know what other traumas they've been exposed to in their childhood?" child psychologist Anastasia Taylor told NBC 5. "Being able to see conflict and discuss how if we disagree or not agree with how the conflict was handled how they're voicing their disagreements."

The Dallas Morning News reported the Richardson school district was planning to increase its police presence "amid concerns of potential unrest surrounding the presidential inauguration."

"Our schools are safe places and as hard as we have worked this year to keep the virus out of our schools, we will work to keep our schools safe, and to keep hate and violence out of our schools," Richardson Superintendent Jeannie Stone said.

"The actions our young people have seen play out in the media . . . have been difficult to process. But we want our students to know that we are here and that we are going to keep them safe."

The Radford, Virginia, school district will be closing for the day, WSLS reported.

Citing rumored "violent protests in many states as well as the District of Columbia," Radford Superintendent Rob Graham said closing schools "is in the best interest of the entire school community."

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