Anti-police messages find their way into Pueblo school supply drive

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A free school supply drive in Pueblo was being overshadowed by a political statement. At the drive, students were handed pencils, papers, notebooks, as well as fliers calling for the defunding of police.

Dozens of cars lined up at the El Pueblo History Museum parking lot on Monday to receive packages filled with free school supplies. The event was organized by the Pueblo Education Coalition as well as Community Resources United.

However, when parents and their kids got home they discovered some of the items they got for free included political messages.

For instance, a coloring page that reads "All Cats Are Beautiful," nothing political at first glance. However, on the side of the drawing reads "ACAB." A common acronym for "All Cops Are Bastards."

Children were also given something a little less subtle. A flier from the recently organized group "Defund the Pueblo PD." The flier lays out arguments for reallocating funds away from local law enforcement and toward other social programs.

“We believe it’s unfortunate they would do that,” said Sgt. Franklyn Ortega with the Pueblo Police Department. “Obviously the families that lined up to get these items need them. They need them for their children, they need them for the education for their children. That’s why they went. I don’t think they were counting on this additional material.”

Community Resources United could not be reached for an interview, but they did provide a statement:

"Several community groups participated in our giveaway either through the donation of their time or through school materials. In return, they were allowed to include materials that were put into a folder approved and assembled by CRU alone. As the organizing party we, and we alone, approved all materials. The overarching goal was to provide students with free supplies, which we accomplished. While we recognize some of the materials included perspectives from donating groups, we also trust parents taking advantage of this resource could discern what materials would be best to give to their children. Pictures of kittens escaped us as being divisive or derisive. Through our screening process, we felt materials related to taxation and funding are materials for taxpayers and matters of public knowledge. The newsworthiness of these objections to free school supplies simply negates the hard work of our organizers."

KRDO is told parents were never told these items would be included amongst the school supplies.

Meanwhile, "Defund the Pueblo PD" are standing by their community outreach efforts:

"Wherever we can reach our community members to educate them on how drastically over-funded the Pueblo Police Department is, expect us. That is not a radical idea or shameful movement, and shouldn't be treated as such. The news is showing their bias in presenting this way. All organizers of this event put in great effort to get school supplies to children. If public education was properly funded, and school supplies were free, no one would have to stand in line for them."

KRDO also reached out to the Pueblo Education Coalition, who helped organize the school drive. However, they were unavailable for comment.