Protesters Barred From FCA Meeting
GSA joins demonstrations against FCA’s controversial leadership policies
By Maxwell Moiseff and Darius Parakh
GSA joins demonstrations against FCA’s controversial leadership policies
By Maxwell Moiseff and Darius Parakh
Although seniors Ryan Dunker and Nicole Le have been protesting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for weeks, their patience reached a breaking point when the FCA advertised free food from Chick-Fil-A, a restaurant often criticized for anti-LGBTQ lobbying, on Dec. 4.
The protesters objected to the organization’s leadership pledge, which requires potential leaders to agree that “marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman.” Dunker and Le had previously organized three other protests over the course of the school year, but failed to attract significant support until Dunker reached out to the members of the Gender Sexuality Alliance.
Led by Dunker, Le and the GSA, over twenty protesters gathered outside the PAC during the Wednesday FCA meeting, holding pro-LGBTQ signs. When some of the demonstrators tried to enter the meeting, officer Rick Granado blocked the doors to the PAC, worried that the activists might disrupt the meeting if they were let inside.
According to Principal Espiritu, the decision to exclude the protesters from the meeting was made out of concern that they would interfere with the FCA’s right to assemble.
“I support Granado, because his main lens and his main objective is one of safety and that’s what police officers do and that’s why we want him here,” said Espiritu. “If the protesters’ intent is clear that they’re going to go in to protest, we have to say ‘no.’ If their intent is to go in, they have the right to go in and observe the meeting.”
GSA co-adviser Chanel Sulc believes that the protesters were misrepresented by the administration.
“Students were barred from entering the actual FCA event and were described as ‘hostile,’ though that could not have been further from the truth. Students were quiet and peaceful for the duration of the event,” said Sulc.
Sulc stressed the protest’s positive nature.
“They simply stood still and held signs promoting love and acceptance,” said Sulc. “These students were protesting because they want a loving campus, not because they want to cause turmoil or disturbance. Their critique here is an act of love and exhibits a belief in a more equitable, loving world.”
When asked about the chapter’s stance on the protesters’ message, FCA South Bay Director Rigo Lopez said that the fellowship accepts all people and wants to spread a message of love through their faith.
“FCA welcomes everyone,” said Lopez. “Our God is a God who will forgive all. FCA invites all students to attend future FCA meetings regardless of one’s background or beliefs.”
Ultimately, FCA President Elizabeth Sinclair, 12, believes that the protests will not affect the group’s meetings.
“Everyone is welcome to come to FCA,” said Sinclair. “We will keep continuing to invite everyone to our meetings or events next semester.”
GSA member Sanaaz Asgarzadeh-Aval, 10, questioned whether the FCA was truly inclusive.
“They were violating human rights by not letting LGBTQ people be leaders in their club. I thought it was really wrong for them to do that,” said Asgarzadeh-Aval. “I wouldn’t discriminate against them for their beliefs, so why should they discriminate against me for my sexuality?”
The protesters objected to the organization’s leadership pledge, which requires potential leaders to agree that “marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman.” Dunker and Le had previously organized three other protests over the course of the school year, but failed to attract significant support until Dunker reached out to the members of the Gender Sexuality Alliance.
Led by Dunker, Le and the GSA, over twenty protesters gathered outside the PAC during the Wednesday FCA meeting, holding pro-LGBTQ signs. When some of the demonstrators tried to enter the meeting, officer Rick Granado blocked the doors to the PAC, worried that the activists might disrupt the meeting if they were let inside.
According to Principal Espiritu, the decision to exclude the protesters from the meeting was made out of concern that they would interfere with the FCA’s right to assemble.
“I support Granado, because his main lens and his main objective is one of safety and that’s what police officers do and that’s why we want him here,” said Espiritu. “If the protesters’ intent is clear that they’re going to go in to protest, we have to say ‘no.’ If their intent is to go in, they have the right to go in and observe the meeting.”
GSA co-adviser Chanel Sulc believes that the protesters were misrepresented by the administration.
“Students were barred from entering the actual FCA event and were described as ‘hostile,’ though that could not have been further from the truth. Students were quiet and peaceful for the duration of the event,” said Sulc.
Sulc stressed the protest’s positive nature.
“They simply stood still and held signs promoting love and acceptance,” said Sulc. “These students were protesting because they want a loving campus, not because they want to cause turmoil or disturbance. Their critique here is an act of love and exhibits a belief in a more equitable, loving world.”
When asked about the chapter’s stance on the protesters’ message, FCA South Bay Director Rigo Lopez said that the fellowship accepts all people and wants to spread a message of love through their faith.
“FCA welcomes everyone,” said Lopez. “Our God is a God who will forgive all. FCA invites all students to attend future FCA meetings regardless of one’s background or beliefs.”
Ultimately, FCA President Elizabeth Sinclair, 12, believes that the protests will not affect the group’s meetings.
“Everyone is welcome to come to FCA,” said Sinclair. “We will keep continuing to invite everyone to our meetings or events next semester.”
GSA member Sanaaz Asgarzadeh-Aval, 10, questioned whether the FCA was truly inclusive.
“They were violating human rights by not letting LGBTQ people be leaders in their club. I thought it was really wrong for them to do that,” said Asgarzadeh-Aval. “I wouldn’t discriminate against them for their beliefs, so why should they discriminate against me for my sexuality?”