Forest Lake district canceled veterans' visit over 'student safety'

However, police said such concerns weren't relayed to them.

Star Tribune

Last update: March 27, 2008 - 11:59 PM

Concern for "student safety" was a primary reason that the Forest Lake School District canceled a visit by touring military veterans to its high school, Superintendent Lynn Steenblock said Thursday in a prepared statement.

However, police said such concerns weren't relayed to them. "At no time was student safety mentioned to the chief of police or to our assigned liaison officer at the high school," police Sgt. Greg Weiss said.

Steenblock said the safety concern was not passed on to police because it was alleviated when the event was scrubbed.

He said the concern was centered on the potential for "hundreds and hundreds" of protesters to come to the school and the possibility for the scene to "get out of hand." He added that the school had received no information that protesters intended to break any laws or engage in civil disobedience.

The National Heroes Tour, featuring decorated troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan talking about their military experiences, was supposed to address about 150 social studies students at the high school Tuesday.

Officials on Monday called off the event after receiving about two dozen phone calls and e-mails from people opposed to the visit. Some objectors said they would stage antiwar demonstrations. The event was moved to American Legion Post 225 in Forest Lake.

PAUL WALSH