Attending the “No Graduation” Protest at CCS Headquarters?  –400 W Marion Street-Thursday Afternoon 3:30 -5:00 PM!!!   –Suggestions and Recommendations provided by Robert A. Williams

By now it is pretty much an established fact that the Cleveland County School Board, led by Chairman Shearra Miller, Vice Chairman Richard Hooker and Members Roger Harris Phillip Glover, Jo Boggs and others had the legal authority to allow the 2020 Seniors to hold Traditional Graduation Ceremonies, but decided all by themselves not to. Maverick School Board Member Danny Blanton has provided proof of such and so posted on Facebook. Even CCS posted on their Facebook page part of the document that showed the local school board had such authority, but left that part out. I have provided that full document at the end of this article. Read the first three paragraphs and you will have all the proof that is necessary.

So, the planned protest that is intended to change the minds of “Rogue” School Board members noted above, is a valid cause and the “Peaceful Protest” that has been called for Thursday afternoon is honorable, legal and Constitutional. Unlike the Peaceful, turned Violent and looting Protests that are all over the news these days. Around the Country and around the world. Shelby too. The word around Shelby is Walmart is closing today at 5:00pm. A schedule that may last for a while. So, if you are coming to the CCS Protest and going shopping too, I suggest you do your shopping first and then come across town to 400 W. Marion Street.

Also note that the time of the CCS Protest is in the afternoon and during a normal workday. The Rogue school board members are also “tricky” and don’t want to have to stoop so low as to actually have to deal face to face with the public. Otherwise, there would be nothing to protest in the first place. Therefore, you might expect to see the School Board pack the parking lots around the Central Services building to such an extent as to cause people to not stop and just go away.

So, come a bit early and carpool as much as possible. Everybody wear comfortable shoes and cloths just in cast you have to walk some distance from a parking spot to the CCS Central Services building. Also, carpool as much as possible. People with SUVs or large cars are encouraged to bring those vehicles to possibly do some shuttle services between the Shelby City Park and uptown to and from the 400 W Marion Street site. Also, if there is a graduating senior available with driver’s licenses, have them deliver their parents and grandparents to the Protest site and then go park the car and then walk back to the protest site. Be prepared for whatever the scenario is and chose your best option to safely get to and from the protest site.

Also, use the bathroom before you come. The Tricky rouge school board may see to it that the Central Services building in locked-down thus, no Restrooms facilities are available.

It is my understanding that all the CCS School Board, School Board candidates, Commissioners, Representatives Tim Moore and Kelly Hastings along with Senator Ted Alexander have been invited. It is also my understanding that all the above, except for the Rogues on the School Board and are supportive of the public’s desire for the Graduating Seniors to have the opportunity to have a traditional graduation ceremony. One could expect that many will attend. Especially in this election year and the scarcity of other venues to politick with the public. Be prepared to meet and greet with the candidates for office and be ready to discuss this and other issues with them. Also be prepared to hear a lot of political promises that some have no intention of keeping. Especially if Shearra Miller, Richard Hooker and Roger Harris are there. And Especially Roger Harris among those three.

Think about bringing some coolers, bottle water and folding lawn chairs. Maybe an umbrella too. Incase it rains or the sun is beating down hard and you can’t find a spot in the shade. Maybe the Republican Party, WeRCC, The Shelby TEA Party and others might want to set up a refreshment gazebo with free cold water available. Or even a sound system or a bull horn for those wanting to speak to the crowd. Perhaps Protest Organizers Samantha Davis, Suzan McKinney Parris, or Tina Holt Glover can help with their ideas. Maybe I will donate some bottles of water, ice and some coolers. A fold out gazebo too. All in support of the cause. Which is a traditional graduation ceremony for our 2020 Cleveland County Seniors.

Last, but not least, Police Protection!

I am sure these Protest organizers and the Peaceful Protesters don’t want an “Antifa” or any other purveyors of violence to come hijack this constitutional and responsible showing of protest against a rogue school board that refuses to do what is right. Us peaceful folks won’t be bringing any guns, knives, rocks, firecrackers, bombs or bricks with us and will not condone anybody that does. I am supposing that the organizers of this Peaceful Protest, that might devolve into a candidate’s forum, have invited Sheriff Alan Norman and Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford. Since School Board Candidates Joel Shores and Rodney Fitch are in the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department Administration and are likely to attend, I would suspect that they and all of us in attendance will see to it that there is no violence allowed at this peaceful protest event.

Folks, if you can and if you care, turn out to this Peaceful Protest event this Thursday, 3:30-5:00 PM at the CCS Central Services 400 W Marion Street, Shelby, NC. Bring a friend. Bring a carload! Show your support for our 2020 graduating Seniors!!!

Also, bring a mask or bandana if you have one. And practice “social distancing” as much as possible.

If there are any more suggestions, add your comments to this article.