Students and supporters rally to restart school sports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A large group of parents, students, coaches and other community members gathered in Lakeport Friday afternoon to rally for reopening school sports.
The “Let Them Play” rally, held at Courthouse Museum Park in downtown Lakeport, was one of dozens coordinated to take place across the state on Friday.
For nine months, school sports have been shut down due to COVID-19, and the rallies were meant to bring attention to what supporters say is the need for young people to be able to have sports available to them once again.
Most of Lake County’s schools remain closed to in-person learning due to being in the highest tier, purple, on the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Under guidelines issued by the state and the California Interscholastic Federation, the only sport offered at local schools at this time of year that would be allowed is cross country.
A big crowd was on hand Friday afternoon, lining Main Street between Second and Third Streets.
Lake County News counted close to 120 people in the rally area, and Gerard Fowler, one of the event organizers, estimated there were more than 150 participants at the event’s peak.
“For such a short planning time frame I was pleasantly pleased with the turnout,” Fowler said.
Students and their supporters carried signs with messages including “Let us play,” “I love wrestling,” “Put me in, Coach,” “I love volleyball,” “I love softball” and “Science supports sports.”
A flatbed trailer was parked on the street as a stage, and passing motorists honked in support.
Madeline Young, a sophomore and honor roll student at Upper Lake High School, thanked people for coming.
Young said not having school sports is hurting students.
“Let us play,” she said.
Fowler said those participating came from areas including Kelseyville, Lakeport, Lower Lake, Middletown, Ukiah, Upper Lake and Willits, with all local school districts represented.
It was a peaceful rally with no political agendas, he said.
“It was nice to stand united for our children,” Fowler said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.