An Ohio school board member gave a sarcastic Nazi salute and chant to the board’s president because he was “acting like a dictator” during a recent meeting, moments before he resigned from his position.
During a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5, Tipp City School Board President Simon Patry was talking about transparency surrounding current district projects when board member Anne Zakkour attempted to interrupt him, but Patry did not want to deal with her.
“I’m talking, do not interrupt me, do not make any noises or else I will, I will not tolerate it. Stop talking,” Patry demands in the caught-on-video moment.
Zakkour did not appreciate the way the “dictator” president told her off and shouted “Oh, Sieg Heil” while raising her left arm and directing it towards Patry.
The animated board member clarified her actions as an act of symbolism against Patry.
“Mr. Patry has been acting like a dictator on our board for years and last night I had enough of his demands of total obedience,” Zakkour told Dayton 24/7 News‘ education franchise. “My reaction last night was symbolic and a sarcastic gesture of submission to a board officer acting as a dictator. Enough is enough!”
At the end of the “Work Session” meeting, Patry proclaimed he was departing from his role.
“At this time, I would like to announce that effective at midnight tonight, I will be resigning from the school board of education,” Patry said, while also clarifying he was resigning as president immediately.
Patry made a motion to have the board’s Vice President Amber Drum be installed as the new board president, but not before Zakkour butted in, as she asked for a clarification as to the terminology of Drum’s role and her term, to the annoyance of Patry.
The new positions have already been reflected on the school district’s website.
It is unclear if Patry’s resignation was related to Zakkour’s gesture.
Tipp City is located 16 miles north of Dayton and has an enrollment of 2,356 students, with over 92% being white, according to USNews.com.
Zakkour’s comment and salute came hours after a spectator at the US Open was kicked out of Arthur Ashe stadium for allegedly using a similar phrase.
Alexander Zverev was battling Jannik Sinner in the fourth set of their epic Round of 16 match when the German star claimed the fan yelled “the most famous Hitler phrase there is.”
The man was removed from the stadium and Zverev ended up winning the match.