EAST BRUNSWICK – A few hundred loud, passionate and often angry protesters amassed outside the town’s Memorial School this afternoon waiting for Phil Murphy to arrive.

They chanted “My child, my choice,” in opposition to the reinstated school mask mandate and waved signs calling Murphy a “king,” and not the benevolent kind.

Some in the crowd were so fevered, they jeered every car entering the school parking lot, even if they had no idea who was in them. One man yelled at those wearing masks to take them off.

When Murphy arrived, it was not by the main entrance.

There has been an anti-lockdown constituency in the state since the pandemic began more than a year ago. Today’s raucous demonstration was an outgrowth of that, but it may have been a bit more than that.

Judging from comments at a cross-section of school board meetings, opposition to students masking up this year may obliterate political lines.

The governor insists that’s not his concern.

Talking to a small assemblage of local educators in the school auditorium, Murphy called protecting school children his “most sacred responsibility.”

He denied doing an “about face” on student masking, saying that when facts change, policy must follow.

The facts are clear.

Murphy said an additional 1,249 positive COVID tests became known today; there were an additional seven deaths.

He said the mask mandate is a direct response to the “rampant spread” of the virus, and more specifically, the Delta variant. If there is any “good” news, it’s that the mask mandate could be lifted if things improve. He often has said that it can be eliminated immediately.

A number of fellow speakers thanked him for providing some clarity to the upcoming school year, apparently referring to in-house debates about whether students should be masked.

That debate may be over, but the debate in the streets may be getting louder.

Murphy referenced the protesters outside, saying he wished they’d understand that the mask decision is meant to keep children and those with whom they come in contact safe. He said those who proclaim that schools can be safe without masking are “lying.”

Another speaker was Marie Blistan, the president of the NJEA and a key ally of the governor. She lamented how dealing with a pandemic has become so political.

Her lament seemed genuine, but to use a cliche, that horse is out of the barn.

Jack Ciattarelli and Republican legislators are already condemning Murphy and the school mask mandate.

The governor, speaking more generally about vaccines, said he prays that the unvaccinated stop believing the myths about getting their shots.

Outside, the protesters were now congregating around the front door of the school. When they realized the governor was leaving through a side door, they rushed toward his waiting SUV.

As Murphy’s vehicle and its State Police escort drove away, many shouted curses in the direction of the moving cars.

“Globalist,” added one demonstrator.

“Coward,” shouted another.

This may take a lot of prayers.