Pastor Removed From School Board Over Graphic Book Reading
Pastor John Amanchukwu removed from meeting after reading explicit book, book pulled from library, police end off-duty security.
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Pastor John K. Amanchukwu Sr. was removed from a school board meeting in North Carolina by police after attempting to read a graphic passage from the novel *Push* by Ramona Lofton during a meeting of the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education on October 12, 2026. The book, which contains explicit depictions of incest, rape, physical and emotional abuse, and related trauma, was freely available to students at Lake Norman High School.
Before Amanchukwu began reading, Board Chair Dr. Doug Knight warned him that reading explicit content would not be allowed. Amanchukwu, however, pushed back, claiming that the chair was violating his First Amendment rights. As he began reading some of the explicit passages, Knight told the pastor he was out of order and police approached Amanchukwu and removed him from the meeting.
Following the incident, Pastor Amanchukwu shared an update on X, stating that the book had been removed from the school library and that the Troutman Police Department would no longer authorize its officers to work off-duty security assignments at the school board meetings. He also included a letter from the police department that outlined the decision.
🚨 A LAWSUIT IS COMING!!!
“The book that I read from, entitled PUSH, has been removed!!!” Amanchukwu wrote. “AND….. The Troutman Police Department will no longer authorize its officers to work off-duty security assignments at meetings of the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education. Recent incidents have raised concerns about the legal basis for requested removals, the protection of Constitutional rights, and the expectations placed on officers assigned to these meetings.”
🚨BREAKING NEWS!!!🚨
Josh Watson, Chief of Police for the Troutman Police Department, wrote: “Dear Superintendent James and Principal Rogers, Effective October 26, 2026, the Troutman Police Department will no longer authorize its officers to work off-duty security assignments at meetings of the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education. Recent incidents have raised concerns about the legal basis for requested removals, the protection of Constitutional rights, and the expectations placed on officers assigned to these meetings.”
Watson added that while the department recognizes the board’s responsibility to conduct orderly meetings and enforce lawful procedures, officers must independently determine if law enforcement action is legally justified. A request from the presiding officer does not, by itself, establish sufficient legal grounds for removal, detention, or arrest. The department will continue to respond to law enforcement calls at board meetings and assess each situation based on the circumstances and applicable law. This decision does not affect officers’ authorization to work approved off-duty assignments at school sporting events and other activities.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
