A Georgia woman who claims to have a “transgender” child, an autistic child, and a “non-binary” child was forcibly dragged out of a school board meeting for causing a scene over changes to the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
The disruption took place at the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening.
As the board discussed changes to the DEI programs, the woman, Lena Kotler, shouted, “Cowards!”
Board Chair Carmen Sulton reportedly asked her to leave over the outburst, but she refused.
“I said one word, I have already stated I have no intention of speaking again until public comment,” Kotler replied. “I’m going to sit here. I have offered that if it makes the board feel comfortable, you, as a security employee, are welcome to sit next to me. If I speak again outside of public comment, I will leave. I have the right to be here, I have not used harsh language or threats.”
Minutes later, several police officers arrived and carried Kotler out of the meeting room.
Georgia mom with “trans children” carried out of City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meeting Tuesday after calling members “cowards” for scraping DEI.
Lena Kotler acted like a child and got punished. She should also be jailed for ab*sing her kids.pic.twitter.com/visgmO9sjq
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) April 16, 2025
“I’m practicing my rights as a parent. I’m in no way resisting,” Kotler said as she was being removed. “I’m not resisting, and this is what fascists do!”
Kotler told Atlanta News First that the officers dropped her outside the front door of the building.
The woman had been planning to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, but could not keep her mouth shut until her turn to speak.
Kotler’s protest was fruitless as the board removed a policy that stated, “all learning environments… be inclusive, safe, secure, and supportive while also ensuring that no student group is marginalized.” It also changed or rescinded four other polices that focused on “equity” and other DEI initiatives.
