Creeping pandemonium at Boston Public Schools hearing

Walked over to the hearing through the common. Didn't know that street was Court Street! Learned something new.

Turned the corner and the street is closed, hundreds of sign wavers. What are they protesting? Oh right. Am I going to be able to get in? Friendly cop says sure you can go in. In the quiet hearing room, people are lined up to speak. Please don't cut the janitors, please don't cut the school police. Please don't cut my school administrator. Reference to Nazi Germany.

I get in line to speak. Now I'm getting nervous. Will everything I typed up fit in three minutes? Organize your thoughts... A young lady from Latin is just before me, speaking quietly into the microphone, when signs begin to appear in the high windows of the hearing room. Signs are banging on the windows. People are climbing up and yelling. The poor girl gives up and it's my turn. I put my head on the microphone and ramble directly into it for 2 and a half minutes.

I go outside and it's all turned into some kind of Day of Rage. My friendly cop is gone and a line of motorcycle cops with helmets and sunglasses are standing in front of the door, holding off a knot of yelling teachers. I wander away, past a hotel, people come out and say "those people are still there!". Turn the corner onto Cambridge Street and it's all gone again.