Demonstration held over recently approved mask mandate in Fargo Public Schools

Fargo, North Dakota – More than 30 Fargo parents and residents gathered today to express their disagreement to the Fargo School District’s mask requirements.

The demonstration follows the approval earlier this month by the Fargo School Board of a policy requiring facial coverings for all employees, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status or community transmission rates. Demonstrators lined up on the sidewalk along 13th Ave. S., holding banners that read “You’re bullying kids” and “Unmask our kids.”

According to Cassie Schmidt, the organizer of the event and moderator of the Facebook group “Let Parents Decide”, the school board does not have the power to make these choices.

“I’m really hoping that Fargo Public Schools would take note.  I don’t believe they have any statitory authority to make these decisions especially when there’s nothing in the North Dakota century code that says they have the authority to turn public health recommendations into requirements,” Schmidt said.

“When you take your child to the movies, grocery store, and restaurants and they don’t have to wear a mask but they have to sit inside their school building all day long with one, whether or not parents agree there’s a problem with that,” says Schmidt.

Another protest will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., according to Schmidt.

The mask policy was approved by the Fargo School Board with a 6-3 vote.