Activism Means Action: Performance Art and School Board Activity on Safety and Dangerous Weapons

Guns With History: Performance Piece or Educational Video?

This is a very interesting performance art education piece on the implications of carrying a gun around. I am still trying to think about whether I like it or not, think it is effective, or not. There is something about it that bothers me a bit, but as performance art it's definitely dramatic. And it's so sad! What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

Update 3/29/2015: I was asked by a reader who found the Guns with History video very upsetting to take it down, and I have done so. [Even though I don't agree with her reasons--I did ask what people thought about it, and that was the only reaction I've gotten.] It'a s youtube video uploaded by Prevent Gun Violence, and anyone who really wants to see it can do a web search.

Thank You

Meanwhile, it's time to give thanks to the Ann Arbor school board and administration, for trying to write up policies that will restrict weapons on school property, and at the same time will stand up against a likely court challenge!  I am pasting in, below, the policies under consideration. As usual, you can share your thoughts with the entire school board and the superintendent, by emailing: boe@aaps.k12.mi.us. (And yes--even if they don't respond--they do read their emails.)

I, for one, am very appreciative of the school board's efforts.

DRAFT POLICY 5410 – Safe & Disruption-Free Environment

In accordance with the authority granted by the Revised School Code to ensure the safety and welfare of students while at school or a school sponsored activity or while en route to or from school or a school sponsored activity and to exercise powers incidental or appropriate to the performance of functions related to educating pupils, the Board of Education designates all property owned or by the Ann Arbor Public Schools “Dangerous Weapon & Disruption-Free Zones”. 

The Superintendent shall create and implement any regulations and procedures necessary to enforce such zones in order to prevent and mitigate actual or potential emergencies and threats to the safety of our students, faculty, staff, families, and citizens.

The Superintendent may exercise any power necessary, as granted and required by Michigan law, to educate students and maintain a safe and productive educational environment at all times.

The Superintendent shall ensure our commitment to the least disruptive school environment possible by refusing any person (students, employees or the public at large) attempting to access school property in order to preserve order in the educational process or to protect students from potential harm without violating any fundamental right to go onto or access school.1 This refusal may occur if the person causes either actual or a reasonable forecast of material disruption to the educational process.

1 WD Mich 2002
The Superintendent shall create and implement any regulations and procedures necessary to enforce such zones in order to prevent and mitigate actual or potential emergencies and threats to the safety of our students, faculty, staff, families, and citizens.
The Superintendent may exercise any power necessary, as granted and required by Michigan law, to educate students and maintain a safe and productive educational environment at all times.
The Superintendent shall ensure our commitment to the least disruptive school environment possible by refusing any person (students, employees or the public at large) attempting to access school property in order to preserve order in the educational process or to protect students from potential harm without violating any fundamental right to go onto or access school.1 This refusal may occur if the person causes either actual or a reasonable forecast of material disruption to the educational process.
1 WD Mich 2002

DRAFT POLICY 5420 – Dangerous Weapon and Disruption-Free Zones

The Board of Education, operating within their legal duty to ensure student safety while at school, en route to school, or at school sponsored activities, and an educational environment free from disruption, declares all properties owned or leased by AAPS as Dangerous Weapon and Disruption-Free Zones. 

No person in possession of a dangerous weapon will be allowed to remain on property owned or leased by AAPS at any time when students are at school, en route to or from school or at a school sponsored activity in accordance with Board Policy 5410 to maintain the least disruptive educational environment and to ensure the safety and welfare of students. 

A dangerous weapon shall include a firearm (including a starter gun or pistol) or any device which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, any destructive device or any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four (4) ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine or similar device; a dagger, dirk, stiletto, knife with a blade over three (3) inches in length, or pocket knife opened by a mechanical device, an iron bar or brass knuckles or, any other weapon as set forth in 18 USC&921. Also, any electronic device that inflicts or causes pain or suffering is likewise considered a weapon.* 

This prohibition does not apply to officers duly sworn to and in good standing with public law enforcement agencies. The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee may authorize additional exceptions with subsequent and timely notice to the Board. 

The Superintendent shall create and implement any regulations and procedures necessary to enforce such Dangerous Weapon and Disruption-Free Zones in order to prevent and mitigate actual or potential emergencies, disruptions and threats to the safety of our students, faculty, staff, families and citizens.

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