A Book, a Microphone, and a School Board Meeting
Pastor John K. Amanchukwu Sr. appeared before the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education on October 12, 2026. He began reading excerpts from Push by Sapphire, also known as Ramona Lofton. The novel contains explicit depictions of incest, rape, physical and emotional abuse, and related trauma. The book is available to students at Lake Norman High School, putting the reading at the center of a broader dispute over what students can access and what can be read aloud at a public meeting. Amanchukwu argued that if students can access the material through the school, a speaker should be able to quote it while addressing the board. The dispute quickly turned the meeting tense.
The Board Chair Warned About “Nasty Words”
Before Amanchukwu began reading, Board Chair Dr. Doug Knight warned him that if he was going to “read nasty words,” it would not be allowed. Amanchukwu pushed back, arguing that Knight was violating his First Amendment rights. At least one board member supported that argument. Amanchukwu then read some of the explicit passages and reminded the room that the book was available to students. Knight declared him out of order.
Police Removed Amanchukwu From the Meeting
After Knight ruled him out of order, police approached Amanchukwu and removed him from the meeting. The pastor later described the officers as being brought in to intimidate him and force him away from the podium. The dispute centered on whether the explicit passages could be read during a public meeting, even though the book was available to students.
Amanchukwu Says a Lawsuit Is Coming
Amanchukwu shared the confrontation on social media and declared, “A LAWSUIT IS COMING!!!” He said the Iredell-Statesville School District had “a BIG problem,” claiming he was censored by the board chair and that police were brought in to intimidate him. He summed up his complaint with the line, “THE BOOK STAYS. THE PREACHER GETS SILENCED.” He also questioned how an allegedly inappropriate book could remain available at Lake Norman High School while a preacher exercising his right to speak was shut down.
Watch the video of the confrontation below.
🚨 A LAWSUIT IS COMING!!!
The Iredell-Statesville School District has a BIG problem.
I was censored by the board chair for reading from Push by Ramona Lofton. Then POLICE were brought in to intimidate me and force me away from the podium.
Let me get this straight: THE BOOK… pic.twitter.com/s0yhTA1oyu
— John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (@REVWUTRUTH) October 13, 2026