Heightened Security at Staples in Advance of Rushdie Talk

Students at Westport’s Staples High School today noticed an increased police presence around the school as they departed in advance of tonight’s talk there by British author Salman Rushdie. He is the subject of a 1989 fatwa (edict) issued by Iran’s Ayatolla Ruholla Khomeini calling for his assassination for his book “Satanic Verses” considered blasphemous by Muslims. Students were told that if any backpack was left in the building after 4 p.m. that it would be confiscated. They were also told any students on campus after 4 p.m. could be subject to questioning or possible police detention if deemed suspicious. Students also noticed personnel on the roof of the school, although it was not known if this was part of the security arrangements. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com