Quakertown Borough officials have released a lengthy public statement detailing their account of the controversial February 20 student protest and confrontation involving Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree in downtown Quakertown.
The statement, released by Quakertown Borough Council, outlines the Borough’s version of events surrounding the anti-ICE student walkout that led to multiple juvenile arrests and sparked months of controversy across the community.
According to Borough officials, Quakertown Police first learned on February 10 about a planned student protest involving Quakertown Community High School students. Officials said both pro-ICE and anti-ICE groups were expected to participate.
The Borough claims the Quakertown Community School District later canceled the protest after a Safe2Say tip alleged someone planned to bring a gun to the event. Despite the cancellation, officials say approximately 40 students still walked out of school on February 20 and marched toward downtown Quakertown.
In the statement, Borough officials allege the protest became “unruly, disruptive, and unlawful” after demonstrators entered the downtown area. Officials claim protesters blocked intersections, walked into traffic, struck vehicles, and ignored repeated police warnings to remain on sidewalks.
The Borough states officers initially monitored the protest in plain clothes to avoid escalating tensions and prevent protesters from feeling intimidated by a heavy police presence.
According to the statement, officers later attempted to arrest what they described as the “primary instigator” near Sunday’s Deli & Restaurant after repeated warnings allegedly failed to stop unsafe behavior.
Officials say Chief McElree, who was in plain clothes and driving an unmarked police vehicle, entered the crowd to assist officers with the arrest. The Borough alleges McElree was then attacked by multiple protesters.
The statement claims McElree suffered serious injuries, including:
- Three fractured ribs
- A pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Hearing loss
- A serious concussion
The Borough further claims protesters continued assaulting the chief after he fell to the ground.
Officials also addressed criticism surrounding videos that circulated online appearing to show McElree placing his arm around a teenage protester’s upper torso and neck area. The Borough insists the action was not a chokehold and stated Quakertown Police officers are not trained to use chokeholds.
The statement additionally argues protesters should have recognized McElree as a police officer, saying he had previously interacted with demonstrators throughout the protest and verbally identified himself multiple times before the confrontation.
Borough leaders praised officers for restoring order without deploying tasers, chemical agents, or impact weapons. Officials also stated no disciplinary action is currently planned against Chief McElree or any Quakertown Police officers involved in the incident.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office continues its independent investigation into the protest and police response.
The February incident gained national attention after videos from the scene spread widely online and multiple students were charged following the confrontation. Some community members and civil rights advocates criticized the police response, while others defended the department’s actions.
The full Borough statement can be viewed here:
