Protest held against mandatory school maskings

On Aug. 31 during the Belleville High School open house, a small group gathered at the entry to the school property to protest the recent mask mandate for the schools. School Supt. Pete Kudlak had allowed the group to stand on school property to get them away from busy W. Columbia Avenue.
Belleville Police Chief Dave Robinson was present with a group of reserve officers standing by in case they were needed.
The peaceful protest was the idea of BHS student Kayla Flange and she was accompanied by her father and mother, Joseph and Kelley Flange, along with Stacey Updyke and her daughter Mia. Another woman joined them, but her name is not available. The group stayed there about two hours.
A counter-demonstration, across the school driveway from the first group, was in place about a half hour. It was made up of BHS student Rachel Riley and her mother, who were in favor of the masks.
Joseph Flange said the protestors plan another demonstration at the Wayne County Health Department at 8 a.m. Sept. 13 and at the Van Buren Public Schools school board meeting at 7 p.m. the same day.