A parent in Towson, Md., was arrested Thursday night at a public forum after vocally expressing his concerns about the Baltimore County School District\u2019s plan to use Common Core standards in its curriculum.<\/p>\n
Robert Small, a concerned father, was forcefully removed from the meeting by a police officer after he interrupted Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance during the question-and-answer portion of the forum.<\/p>\n
The meeting apparently didn\u2019t allow parents to stand up and ask questions or comment. Parents and other attendants were instead asked to write their questions on a piece of paper and officials would read them.<\/p>\n
However, Small began speaking out against the district\u2019s use of Common Core, prompting a security guard, who was also a police officer, to approach him and order him to leave. \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d he said sternly.<\/p>\n
When Small didn\u2019t immediately comply, the officer began pulling his arm and pushing him towards the exit. Some audience members gasped at the cop\u2019s use of force.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t stand for this,\u201d the father said as he was dragged out. \u201cYou are sitting here like cattle! Is this America?\u201d<\/p>\n
Small also urged other parents to demand answers on Common Core and the curriculum being used to educate their children.<\/p>\n
As the Baltimore Sun reports, the officer then \u201cpushed Small and then escorted him into the hall, handcuffed him and had him sit on the curb in front of the school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Small was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer and faces a $2,500 fine and up to 10 years in prison. He was also charged with disturbing a school operation, which carries an additional $2,500 and up to six months in jail.<\/p>\n