Screenshots / YouTube, ABC4 Utah, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

A coalition of children and adults orchestrated an extensive walkout at Mt. Nebo Middle School in Utah this Wednesday, fueled by an unusual grievance — “furries.”

The Daily Wire reports that demonstrators, hailing from a location approximately an hour's drive south of Salt Lake City, exited the school premises asserting that individuals attired as “furries” were causing disturbances within the student body.

Video footage of the protests, circulated on social media, depicts students leveling accusations against the purported “furries” at the school, alleging incidents of biting, scratching, barking at, spraying air freshener on, and pouncing on fellow students.

Certain students participating in the walkout voiced grievances regarding the habitual mask-wearing by the “furries.”

One girl remarked, “they think they're so cool.” Another girl expressed frustration, stating, “We can't talk or say anything to the furries or even look at them, but they can come look at us and say stuff to us and touch us.”

Children brandished signs bearing messages such as “Compelled speech is not free speech,” “I will not comply,” and “We just wanted to learn.”

A petition titled “Students for Humans at School, not animals aka furries” has amassed nearly 1,700 signatures to date. It urges the school to enforce a dress code aimed at preventing students from presenting themselves in a manner that disrupts the learning environment or poses welfare concerns.

Seth Sorensen, the public information officer for the school district, offered a rebuttal regarding allegations of students masquerading as animals. He took the opportunity to provide clarification, emphasizing that while students are indeed allowed to accessorize with headbands embellished with ears, the practice does not extend to donning full-body animal costumes.

Sorensen informed ABC4: “Today, we had some students and parents choose to exercise their right to assemble, and do a little protest for what they perceived was something that was happening in the school.”

“It actually is not something that's been occurring,” he continued.

“Interestingly enough, they really didn't address us with anything they wanted changed,” he stated. “We want every student to feel safe when they come to school, and we want students to get along. In fact, we want adults to get along.”

Sorensen then delved deeper into the possible origins of the protest, suggesting that it could have arisen from a miscommunication sparked by an email circulated by the school regarding a confrontation between two factions of students.

The school administration also emphasized its proactive approach in addressing concerns related to disruptive attire and appearance among select students. They highlighted ongoing efforts to collaborate with individuals whose dress and demeanor have the potential to disturb the school environment, underscoring their commitment to maintaining a conducive atmosphere the student body.

WebMD says “furries” are individuals who harbor an interest in animals possessing human-like qualities. The Daily Wire reports that the online “furry” community often carries sexual undertones, although certain self-identified “furries” vehemently assert that their interest in the fandom is unrelated to sex.

Approximately a quarter of respondents in a 2011 survey expressed feeling less than fully human.