The Washoe County School Board meeting on Tuesday was disrupted at least twice during public comment. Attendees expressed concern about the presence of certain books in school libraries. Many of the attendees read from books they believed were inappropriate for students and on library shelves.
People packed the district board room, lobby, and an overflow room to participate in public comment on the issue. Signs with slogans like “No X-rated books in schools” and “We do not co-parent with school boards” were held up by the crowd.
The controversy began when conservative North Carolina pastor John Amanchukwu read explicit passages from “American Psycho” during his public comment. Board Vice President Adam Mayberry asked him to refrain from using profanity, but Amanchukwu continued reading even after the board members left the room. Eventually, the meeting resumed, and Amanchukwu left the board room.
This is the epitome of hypocrisy. This board allows our kids to be mentally raped by this content, but they can’t stomach hearing it for 3 minutes? Vote them all out! https://t.co/iH8G76UnIv [1]
— John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (@REVWUTRUTH) June 26, 2024 [2]
Another speaker, Bruce Foster, later started reading from “Looking for Alaska,” leading to another recess. Foster was asked to leave by district officers but did not comply.
A search of Washoe County high school library book catalogs revealed that “American Psycho” is available in certain high schools in the district. The controversial 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis features graphic violence and tells the story of a New York investment banker and serial killer.
You are good with a camera 📸 @nurseamywood [3]! This is paparazzi level stuff. Ha! 🤣 Just doing my part to defend kids! https://t.co/gZc4g0O3E2 [4]
— John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (@REVWUTRUTH) June 26, 2024 [5]