Pro-mask Texas dad strips at school board meeting to make his point

[Ben Reilly]

A Texas man stripped during a contentious school board meeting to make a point about wearing masks, causing a stir in the small town of Dripping Springs.

The Dripping Springs Independent School District has a policy stating face masks are optional for the upcoming school year, according to the San Marcos Daily Record. At the beginning of an hours-long meeting on Monday, residents argued for and against adjusting that policy by enforcing stricter COVID-19 safety measures in classrooms.

Passions ran high at times, but one man’s speech has managed to capture national attention.

When James Akers first approached the microphone for his allotted 90 seconds to speak before the board and the socially-distanced audience gathered in the auditorium, he was fully clothed.

But that changed quickly.

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He told the board he’s a 15-year resident of Dripping Springs — located west of Austin with a population of about 4,600 — and has had three of his own children go through the school district.

“I do not like the government, or any other entity, telling me what to do,” Akers said while dressed in a jacket, pants, suit and tie. “But sometimes I’ve got to push the envelope a little bit. And I’ve decided I’m not just going to talk about it, I’m going to walk the walk.”

Then the stripping started.

“At work they make me wear this jacket,” he said, pulling it off. “I hate it.”

“They make me wear this shirt and tie,” Akers continued. “I hate it.”

As he shed his clothes, Akers claimed he ran three stop signs and four red lights on the way to the meeting, adding “I have every right to drive as fast as I want to.” Upon arriving, he parked in a handicap space, Akers said while taking off his undershirt and dropping his pants to the ground, earning cheers and jeers from the audience.

Two police officers moved near the microphone, apparently ready to escort Akers out if he dared to remove his last article of clothing — which many Dripping Springs residents say was a bathing suit.

The whole display was to prove a point, he said: red lights, like masks, may be inconvenient, but they also save lives.

“It’s simple protocol, people. We follow certain rules. We follow certain rules for a very good reason,” Akers said.

Board president Barbara Stroud grabbed her gavel, hammering the boos and applause into silence, bringing the meeting back to order.

“Mr. Akers I understand — I believe you’re a swimmer — but if you wouldn’t mind putting your pants back on for a comment, that would be appreciated,” Stroud said.

With his time over, Akers collected his clothes and walked away from the microphone.

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article253734628.html

[eddie]

Well, that’s one way to get your dick, sorry, point across...

[Original Quill]

I've often wondered the same thing.  We spend assiduous attention to unnecessary clothing, particularly in warm climes, yet we resist saving the lives of our family and friends, refusing to wear masks and getting vaccinated.

[Maddog]

A Texas man stripped during a contentious school board meeting to make a point about wearing masks, causing a stir in the small town of Dripping Springs.

The Dripping Springs Independent School District has a policy stating face masks are optional for the upcoming school year, according to the San Marcos Daily Record. At the beginning of an hours-long meeting on Monday, residents argued for and against adjusting that policy by enforcing stricter COVID-19 safety measures in classrooms.

Passions ran high at times, but one man’s speech has managed to capture national attention.

When James Akers first approached the microphone for his allotted 90 seconds to speak before the board and the socially-distanced audience gathered in the auditorium, he was fully clothed.

But that changed quickly.

TX Politics newsletter
Get government and election news that affects our region, plus a weekly take exclusive to the newsletter.

Enter Email Address
SIGN UP
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

He told the board he’s a 15-year resident of Dripping Springs — located west of Austin with a population of about 4,600 — and has had three of his own children go through the school district.

“I do not like the government, or any other entity, telling me what to do,” Akers said while dressed in a jacket, pants, suit and tie. “But sometimes I’ve got to push the envelope a little bit. And I’ve decided I’m not just going to talk about it, I’m going to walk the walk.”

Then the stripping started.

“At work they make me wear this jacket,” he said, pulling it off. “I hate it.”

“They make me wear this shirt and tie,” Akers continued. “I hate it.”

As he shed his clothes, Akers claimed he ran three stop signs and four red lights on the way to the meeting, adding “I have every right to drive as fast as I want to.” Upon arriving, he parked in a handicap space, Akers said while taking off his undershirt and dropping his pants to the ground, earning cheers and jeers from the audience.

Two police officers moved near the microphone, apparently ready to escort Akers out if he dared to remove his last article of clothing — which many Dripping Springs residents say was a bathing suit.

The whole display was to prove a point, he said: red lights, like masks, may be inconvenient, but they also save lives.

“It’s simple protocol, people. We follow certain rules. We follow certain rules for a very good reason,” Akers said.

Board president Barbara Stroud grabbed her gavel, hammering the boos and applause into silence, bringing the meeting back to order.

“Mr. Akers I understand — I believe you’re a swimmer — but if you wouldn’t mind putting your pants back on for a comment, that would be appreciated,” Stroud said.

With his time over, Akers collected his clothes and walked away from the microphone.

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article253734628.html

Did he make any tips?

[gelico]

point? is that what we're all calling it nowadays?

and,,,,make his point do what exactly?

did he make a firm point?

did his point stand up?

did people respect his point?

possibly even admire it?

and once he put his pants back on i guess his point was lost anyway

[eddie]

Yeah, you’d hope he was at least semi-hard otherwise his point was kinda floppy...sort of swaying this way then that....

[gelico]

even worse when someone tells him ''you need to get a grip on yourself if you really want to make a point''

oh the shame

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