NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Trick or treat?
The Halloween question took on a different meaning recently for folks who objected in principle to certain political materials at a “Trunk-or-Treat” in North Salem.
Sponsored by the Pequenakonck PTO, the October event drew families and their costumed kids to the parking lot at the Middle/High School, where families stopped at decorated trunks and tables stocked with Halloween treats.
The candy wasn’t the problem, parent Melita Corselli and resident Christine Misurelli both told the North Salem Board of Education at their Nov. 19 meeting.
What they were upset about, they said, was that a participant, the North Salem Republican Town Committee (NSRTC), had displayed a photo of Charlie Kirk next to handouts with information about the late political activist and media personality and his conservative student organization, Turning Point USA.
Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a college in Utah in September.
Besides lots of candy, the NSRTC had coloring books, crayons, flags, glow sticks and nutritional information from the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” program.
Corselli and Misurelli are district leaders for the North Salem Democrats, which also had a table at Trunk-or-Treat.
NSRTC Chair Nzingha Milanes pointed out that her organization has participated in Trunk-or-Treat for the last three years. It was the first for the Democrats.
In general, there seem to be two schools of thought about whether political advocacy has a place at activities such as Trunk-or-Treat.
One camp sees it as a harmless way to promote civic engagement and reach voters with a piece of candy, while the other side finds it inappropriate to mix politics with family-friendly events.
Corselli and Misurelli made the second argument at the school board meeting.
Identifying herself as the parent of three school age children and a person “of color,” Corselli told trustees that because her family has “always had positive experiences with this district” and very much appreciates its “inclusivity,” she was “a little shocked” about the Kirk materials being available.
“Regardless of anyone’s political views here, I’m pretty sure we can all agree that Mr. Kirk has been controversial,” she said, citing a pair of statements made on his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show.
As reported by media outlets, they were:
“Happening all the time in urban America, prowling Blacks go around for fun to go target white people, that’s a fact. It’s happening more and more.” (May 19, 2023)
If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, oh boy, I hope he’s qualified and not a DEI hire.” (Jan. 23, 2024)
“These are just a few examples of Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, racist, and misogynistic rhetoric,” claimed Corselli, emphasizing that she was in no way accusing the NSRTC itself of being any of those things.
But Milanes objected to “any insinuation that our presence or materials were racially insensitive or hostile to students of color or religious minorities.”
She pointed out that she herself is Black and that the North Salem Republican Town Committee has Jewish members and has, in recent years, “nominated Black and Hispanic candidates of color to run in local and county elections more than any other party in North Salem.”
The committee also has, Milanes wrote, “a long record” of celebrating Black achievements and contributions. As a result of that “advocacy," the local library is now hosting “more Black History Month events than ever before,” she said.
But Corselli said she found the Kirk materials "very bothersome."
“I don’t think people are bad in this town; I just think we have to be self-aware and deal with things,” Corselli said.
While Kirk fiercely defended right-wing populist and nationalist stances central to the MAGA movement, his supporters argued that his comments on race, crime and other issues were often taken out of context and that his goal was to spur open dialogue.
(See "Charlie Kirk in his own words" in the accompanying breakout box for fuller context of his statements).
Turning Point USA, which has chapters on 850 school campuses, says its mission is to “identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets and limited government.”
But schools have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and equitable learning environment free from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, the other side says.
“Distributing these materials, written by him, or from his organization, on public school grounds, which is supposed to be an environment to inspire and include students of all backgrounds, seems egregious to me,” explained Corselli.
Misurelli -- who had not herself attended the Trunk-or-Treat but who’d seen a photo of the NSRTC’s table – was also concerned about “the appropriateness of distributing political material on school property.”
“If this wasn’t something the board knew about, it’s going to have to be something you’re aware of in the future,” she advised trustees.
Misurelli added that she thinks “it’s unfair to turn Trunk-or-Treat into something political.”
Nevertheless, a Democratic Club member confirmed that their table had displayed palm cards for a local candidate for a town office but noted that these were only given to adults “if they asked” and not to children.
Other than that, the Democrats said, they only handed out candy, pretzels and potato chips.
Candidates for local office made appearances at both stations.
Nevertheless, Corselli wanted answers.
“Was this literature approved for distribution to students or is there no oversight regarding what is being handed out at Trunk-or-Treat?” and “What steps will be taken to prevent this from happening again in the future?” she asked the board.
Board Vice President Kurt Guldan responded that it’s the board's policy to listen to -- but not directly answer -- questions posed by the public during business meetings.
(It does, however, occasionally hold “Community Conversation” events that allow for such two-way discussions.)
“I don’t know if you’re familiar with the process, that’s all,” he advised, suggesting that she reach out to schools Superintendent Dr. Adam VanDerStuyf with her concerns.
North Salem News asked VanDerStuyf for the district’s position.
He responded on Friday, Nov. 21:
“We are aware of the concerns raised and have shared the feedback with the event organizers. We will continue to work closely with all organizers and partners to be sure that all student events are both age and developmentally appropriate.”
North Salem News sought the Pequenakonck PTO’s take, but as of press time had not heard back.
The NSRTC had questions, too.
In a letter sent to the BOE and school administration, Milanes said the NSRTC was “shocked at the mischaracterization” and asked that the district “clarify” if community groups participating in events on school grounds are allowed to provide “optional, age-appropriate informational materials” as long as they “comply with all district rules.”
She also wants the district to “ensure that all organizations are treated equally, regardless of their viewpoint,” and to affirm its “commitment” to “neutrality” and “civic engagement.”
“Our students benefit when they see adults modeling civil disagreement and respectful coexistence, rather than attempting to exclude certain perspectives,” Milanes wrote.
The NSRTC takes “seriously the responsibility to be good partners with our schools,” she added.
“For those who were interested, postcards were on the table with information about Charlie Kirk’s memorial and about how a student might start a Turning Point USA chapter, should they or their parents wish to explore that opportunity,” Milanes explained.
“Those postcards were placed on the table, not handed to every child. No one was pressured to take anything. Any conversation about the postcards or Turning Point USA was mainly initiated by parents or teenagers who approached us and asked for more information,” she said.
Furthermore, she added, nothing on offer was “inappropriate for a school setting.”
A photograph of Kirk – “a simple image of a loving husband and father whose life was cut short in his prime while promoting open discussion and civic engagement” – was displayed, Milanes wrote.
Emily Siegel, North Salem Democratic Committee chair, weighed in.
“It’s absolutely disgraceful that political items were distributed to small children at Trunk-or-Treat,” she said, claiming that “by distributing political items at a school event, they (the NSRTC) turned it into a political event.”
“Most of the children who received these items were 10 years old. They had no say in the matter and neither did their parents. This goes beyond poor judgment. It’s appalling,” she said.
According to Milanes, vigils – including ones held in nearby Somers-- in the wake of Kirk’s death, reflected not only “sorrow over the loss of one man, but a broader sense of despair at the way our politics have become increasingly intolerant and hostile to open discussion.”
The NSRTC’s “information was offered quietly, on the table, to be taken only by those who wanted it,” said Milanes, who noted that the “nearby Somers School District already has a Turning Point USA chapter.”
Milanes was referring to the recently formed “Stars & Stripes Club” at Somers High School. It publicly identifies itself as a local chapter of Turning Point USA.
The intent of making the Kirk handouts available was to inform North Salem students and their families that they “have the same opportunity” should they “choose to explore it,” Milanes said.
The NSRTC had no objection to other political organizations providing informational materials at Trunk-or-Treats. “In fact, we believe it’s healthy for students and families to see that multiple viewpoints can coexist respectfully at a community event,” Milanes said.
Agreeing that the school district needs to make “the ground rules clearer,” Misurelli -- speaking for herself and not on behalf of the Democratic Committee – said she doesn’t regret raising the thorny issue.
“It opens a discussion and it’s a good discussion to have,” she concluded.
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