WASHINGTON (WOOD/AP) — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had to turn back from a Washington D.C. school Friday morning, after protesters blocked her entry.
The West Michigan philanthropist was planning to attend a teacher’s union gathering at Jefferson Middle School Academy when she ran into the demonstration, according to NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington. It’s unclear whether she entered the school from another door.
DeVos was paying her first visit as education secretary in a bid to mend fences with educators after a bruising confirmation battle.
About 50 protesters gathered outside the school, holding signs and shouting “We fight back!”
WRC-TV reported one protester was arrested for blocking a driveway and refusing to move.