The aftermath of this weekend’s arrests related to the pro- and anti-Trump rallies has reached the School District of Philadelphia.
When the names of three people charged in connection with a skirmish involving protesters, Trump supporters and police officers were released, one set off an avalanche of online criticism directed toward one of their fathers.
According to a police account of the incident, 33-year-old Christopher Sheerin “was seen punching a Trump supporter (31/W/M) in the face and pulling the American flag from him.”
Before long, accusations were flying on
social media, in
articles, and via email claiming Sheerin’s father John was a member of Antifa and a principal at a Philadelphia public school.
John Sheerin is not a principal in the school district. He’s a teacher.
He didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on the online backlash, so we were unable to discern if he is, in fact, a member of the group. Screen grabs, however, show John Sheerin inviting his critics to report him to the school district, and criticizing the Trump supporters who responded to him.