WASHINGTON — (CNN) Protesters physically blocked US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos from entering a public school on Friday morning.
Parents holding signs greeted DeVos when she arrived at Jefferson Middle School Academy in southwest Washington, not far from the Department of Education building.
When she tried to enter the school, the protesters stood in front of her, video showed.
The video showed DeVos then turned around and walked away, with one protester walking beside her shouting, “Go back! Shame, shame.”
She got into an SUV and drove off. She able to enter the school through another door a short time later, avoiding protesters and the media.
WJLA-TV reported the protest was organized by the Washington Teachers’ Union, which did not support DeVos’ nomination.
CNN has sought comment from the US Department of Education.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted about the demonstration, saying: “This bears repeating: Protest – peaceful protest – is fine but we do not condone violence towards anyone.” The second part of that tweet said, “DC has the fastest growing urban school district in America. We welcome @BetsyDeVos & anyone who wants to learn more about our schools.”
DeVos was one of Trump’s most controversial appointments. Critics complained about her lack of experience with public schools and her bankrolling of efforts like school vouchers that could take money from public institutions.
She won confirmation on Tuesday after Vice President Mike Pence broke a deadlocked 50-50 vote in the Senate.
The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. (PHOTO: WJLA-TV via CNN)
