SPENCER, Okla. (KFOR) — A man in Spencer is exercising his right to free speech, and his neighbors are exercising theirs in return.
Tempers flared Thursday afternoon in a metro neighborhood next to a school.
It is all over a sign referencing ICE, and an arrow pointing to a Hispanic family’s home.
There were people shouting, angry and frustrated, aimed at the person who put up the sign in his yard near Spencer Elementary School.
“This is not OK,” one woman said. “I am a mother here. My children go to this school. I will not tolerate this.”
Families picking up their kids from Spencer Elementary say this does not surprise them.
“I was a kid here in the school 20 years ago, and it was like the same kind of way,” said Regina Sich. “He lives next to the school, but like, even like balls over the fence, like common things are still an issue.”
At one point, police showed up. That is when the homeowner of the ICE sign came outside.
Officers say that because neither side is breaking any law, they can’t do anything.
We reached out to OKCPS, as well, with the sign being so close to the elementary school.
They sent us the same letter that they sent out to families with kids at Spencer Elementary.
Spencer Elementary Families,
We have heard from several of you regarding a sign that is displayed on private property near our school. Please know this is on private property, and is out of our control, and does not align with OKCPS values.
We would like to take a moment to remind families and our community that OKCPS schools are a safe and welcoming place for ALL students, and our mission remains unchanged. We are committed to providing equitable access to a world class education for every student in our district.
Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in OKCPS.
Families are hoping for change.
“I wish we would quit spreading the hate,” Sich said. “I know this community has grown and everybody that’s coming to this community has made an impact and makes a difference for what they do here.”
Again, it is important to point out that police say the man isn’t doing anything illegal.
Right now, this is just a case of both sides exercising their right to free speech.