Political Attire Causes Controversy In Pelham

PELHAM, NY — At a Pelham Board of Education meeting Wednesday, both sides in a political controversy over staff members wearing anything promoting political speech.

The issue started when some staff members wore 'thin blue line' masks and some students said that made them feel uncomfortable.

The Blue Lives Matter movement started as a reaction to Black Lives Matter. Several years later, many supporting the Blue Lives Matter movement began using an altered American flag as a symbol. In 2020, the thin blue line flag was used prominently at campaign rallies by President Donald Trump, an avowed foe of Black Lives Matter.

In Pelham, the thin blue line symbol is also on a sweatshirt recently created by Carla Caccavale and her family. Caccavale's father, a transit police detective, was shot and killed in 1976. Four of his grandchildren attend Pelham schools. She said she did it to memorialize the bond between those killed in the line of duty and those who are serving now, The Journal News reported.

Controversy and confrontation over the symbol this fall built in and was aimed at the district.

The Board of Education asked people on both sides to discuss the issues calmly.

"We feel strongly that our town is being unnecessarily divided and want to take the time to clarify a few very important points, and address some misinformation, so we can move forward together as one community," they said in an online message.

The issue of staff wearing thin blue line attire was raised by students, they said. "While we can all understand that the thin blue line symbol is one that has deep meaning for our brave police and their families, in recent years the symbol has sometimes been used by other movements, symbolizing a different meaning."

When Superintendent Cheryl Champ asked the staff members who wore them to stop doing so on school grounds, some employees pushed back saying that others had been allowed to wear shirts associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.

"In order to promote healing and help staff better understand her decision, she met with all concerned groups to discuss these issues," the trustees said. "She then sent a follow-up email to staff clearly stating that going forward, the policy would include any speech, clothing or symbols that could be construed as political. To be clear, at no point were any students asked to stop wearing commemorative sweatshirts which included the Thin Blue Line symbol. Students are not restricted now, nor have they ever been restricted, from wearing the sweatshirts referenced in the media."

Both sides were addressed by state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi.

A joint statement from the union presidents of the Pelham and Pelham Manor police departments and the schools superintendent was read at Wednesday’s meeting, The Journal News reported.

They said they could address their common goals.

The school trustees said online that "The Board and Dr. Champ are in communication with the Pelham and Pelham Manor mayors and police leadership and we fully intend to work together as community leaders to have the necessary conversations to move forward."