SWAMPSCOTT — The Hadley school went entirely remote Thursday in response to the weekly Trump rally in Monument Square.
“Having received word of another political protest planned for today in the vicinity of the Hadley School, combined with the uncertainty and heightened tensions surrounding the presidential election process, we decided to switch to remote learning at Hadley for today only,” wrote Superintendent Pamela Angelakis in a statement released Thursday.
The rally, which has often featured aggressive and contentious interactions between Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter counter-protesters, turned out to be relatively muted Thursday.
In the past, the event has included more than 100 people and featured vulgar language and physical intimidation, which BLM counter-protesters claim to be largely initiated by the Trump crowd.
“People are just so exhausted,” said Nahant Democratic Committee member and Black Lives Matter supporter Jim Walsh. “This is less people than have been on either our side or their side for a long time.”
At 10:30 a.m., only about 10 Trump supporters were gathered by the Monument, with a similar number of BLM counter-protestors stationed across the street. Another group of BLM and Biden supporters was also located near the Lynn border.
Teri Motley, a BLM supporter who stood across the street from the Trump rally, held a sign reading “Black Lives Matter Blue Lives Matter, Not Either/Or.”
The Trump supporters were led by former radio host Dianna Ploss, who was released on bail Saturday following an altercation in Plymouth in which she punched a counter-protester.
Ploss wouldn’t comment on the election or her arrest.
“We’re not making any press comments today team,” she announced to her supporters.
The BLM supporters were particularly focused on keeping the protests peaceful and civil, having held a special training de-escalation training the previous night.
“Last week, I didn’t plan things well enough and it got unsafe,” said Lauren Noyes of North Shore Sides With Love, who organized the counter-action. “Things almost got physical.”
“They want us to drop down to their level and get childish. We’re not going to do it,” she added. “But if someone’s having a bad day or they get triggered by something, I want a plan in place so we can help each other not escalate.”
By 11:30 a.m., the Trump crowd had grown to about 20, but remained subdued. The Trump supporters played a series of ’80s pop hits as the two groups stood across the street from one another, throwing casual taunts back and forth.
“Do you stand for law and order?” shouted a man on the BLM side.
“We have the candidate of law and order,” a female Trump supporter responded.
“Then why aren’t you wearing masks in a mandatory mask zone?” the man said.
“Mandates aren’t laws,” she answered.
“No masks, no worries,” added a woman dressed in a full superhero costume holding a sign that read “Trump Girl.”
The Trump rally also featured signs questioning the legitimacy of the tight presidential election, which has yet to be called for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump.
One sign read: “Stop the Steal. Illegal Biden Ballots Found In Swing States.”
“It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings,” shouted one Trump supporter. “And I ain’t singing!”
Angelakis was grateful to the community for cooperating with the shift to remote learning in response to the protest.
“We appreciate the flexibility and understanding of students, families and staff.”
Hadley will return to in-person learning Friday.
Guthrie Scrimgeour can be reached at [email protected].
