Some Duval Schools teachers say they spent their planning week peeling rainbow Safe Space stickers and posters that indicate LGBTQ allyship off their classroom windows, walls and doors ahead of students’ arrival Monday morning for their first day.

Equality Florida — a statewide civil rights organization focused on the LGBTQ community — published a statement criticizing Duval County Public Schools officials for putting out guidance to principals that advised the removal of the rainbow signage.

“As Duval County Public Schools students begin their first day of school, they are returning to classrooms that have been stripped bare of all visible support for LGBTQ students,” the group’s statement said. “Last week, the school district’s leadership held an emergency meeting with school principals in which they were directed to remove all posters, wall decorations, and stickers that support and affirm LGBTQ students.”

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