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ROWLETT (CBS11) – Rowlett’s police chief is calling out Coyle Middle School over its Black History Month presentation Friday.

Chief Mike Broadnax calls it a “direct attack on police.”

During an assembly, students held up signs saying, “Black Lives Matter,” “I Can’t Breathe,” and “The Whole System Is Guilty.”

While Chief Broadnax says he doesn’t believe it was the Garland Independent School District’s intent to disrespect police, he told CBS 11 News, “Allowing this only promotes the discontent and hatred for police to continue. It’s a bad day.”

The school principal, Michael Bland, emailed school staff calling the “highly politicized message” an “unfortunate event.”

Here is the email:

Staff,

While our campus celebrated the accomplishments of African Americans past, present and future, an unfortunate event occurred during the first performance. There was a sign used in one of the skits that displayed a highly politicized message. Although the intent of the performers was not to offend anyone’s political views, the use of a politicized message on a middle school campus was not the best choice. The message displayed on the sign had political, social and cultural relevance as it relates to social studies curriculum and academic discourse, but was not appropriate and could be misconstrued as advocating for and encouraging students to take a political stance. It could also be taken offensively by law enforcement who risk life and limb daily for our personal wellbeing.

If any of the political messages on the signs offended anyone, I apologize on behalf of the administration. In closing, the Black History program was a success! The cultural exchange was embraced by the staff, students and community members that attended. I hope this apology finds everyone in the best of spirits. Have a great weekend!

Michael Bland