A group of middle school students visiting Albany was unexpectedly removed from the New York Assembly chamber after a Republican lawmaker referenced them during a debate, according to the Times Union. Democrats accused the lawmaker of using the students as political “props.”
The 30 students from Gouverneur Central School were on a field trip with Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush when Assemblyman Michael Durso gestured to them during a child care debate. That prompted a sergeant at arms—reportedly at Democrats’ request—to escort the group out, despite no direct involvement in the discussion.
Republicans condemned the move as excessive and unfair. Democrats called it a procedural issue, though critics questioned why the students were punished for a lawmaker’s remarks.
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