[ad_1]
Parents and politicians criticize the Justice Department’s decision to call on the FBI to investigate a spike in “threats against school administrators, board members, teachers and staff,” saying the Biden administration likens its protests to “awakened” policies such as Critical Race Theory – as well as the compulsory wearing of masks – to “domestic terrorism.”
“Dear @TheJusticeDept Merrick Garland and Director of @FBI Christopher Wray”, Asra Nomani, Vice President of Investigations and Strategy at Parents Defending Education, posted on twitter. “This is what a national terrorist looks like? You criminalize parenthood and owe the American people a quick apology. ”
She sarcastically signed the letter “Domestic Terrorist”, Asra Nomani. “
Nomani’s group studied how school boards across the United States are implementing “awakened” ideas into curricula, such as Critical Race Theory.
Over the past few months, dozens of parents have taken a stand at school board meetings against teaching critical race theory in classrooms and protesting mask warrants, leading some to wonder what the FBI and DOJ are actually investigating.
The DOJ’s decision was spurred on by the National School Boards Association, which enlisted the help of the Biden administration, suggesting there had been threats and acts of violence and equating them to domestic terrorism.
In a separate tweet, Nomani claimed Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a “declaration of war” on parents when he announced the initiative on Monday.
Another parent, Nicole Solas from Rhode Island, accused the FBI to be “the political police”, while asserting that any “legitimate” violence is already “sufficiently dealt with by your local police”.
“Stop me,” she said in another tweet.
In a note released Monday, Garland announced that while “heated debate on political issues is protected by our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats or violence or efforts to intimidate individuals on the base. of their opinions “.
The investigation will focus on the recent spike in acts of violence against school staff, however, Garland’s memo did not specify what those acts were.
In a September 29 letter, the National School Boards Association said much of this opposition has led to dozens of incidents at school board meetings this year, saying “U.S. public schools and their officials education are under immediate threat “.
The NSBA suggested that “[a]While these malicious acts, violence and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could amount to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes ”and asked the administration to review the matter.
While Garland’s memo follows a request for help from the NSBA, he did not clarify whether incidents related to the implementation of mask warrants or critical breed theory would be the subject of concern. ‘investigation. In addition, the memo does not classify the incidents as domestic terrorism.
“Threats against public officials are not only illegal, they go against our country’s core values,” Garland wrote.
“Those who devote their time and energy to ensuring that our children receive an appropriate education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their jobs without fear for their safety. “
However, many parents still consider the order to be for them.
“This is a coordinated attempt to intimidate dissenting voices in the debates surrounding America’s underachieving K-12 education – and it will not succeed. We will not be silenced, ”Parents Defending Education said in a statement on Monday.
Elicia Brand, a parent from Loudoun County, told Fox News parents “owe it to our children” and to subsequent generations to “stay strong in their fight for freedom.”
“I encourage all parents to stay strong in their fight for parental freedom and rights and never falter in the face of unwarranted threats,” she said.
“I hope the relevant authorities will be used to find those who threaten violence or utter such hateful words, but they will not find them in the parents’ community in Loudoun County because we oppose this.” Moms and Dads will remain strong in our faith to do good and in our peaceful mission to protect our children even more now that this letter has been published, as we are at the tipping point where the free America we love can quickly. be America to be feared. We owe it to our children and to the generations that follow.
Senator Josh Hawley joined parents on Tuesday in their criticism, accusing Garland of focusing only on “democratic pushback against critical race theory,” rather than threats of violence.
“Americans across the country are speaking out against radical racist ideology sometimes referred to as ‘critical race theory’,” the Missouri Republican wrote in a note obtained by Fox News.
“Americans responded to this radical ideology by winning local school board elections and demonstrating peacefully at school board meetings. Yet your memo yesterday to the FBI and local US prosecutors ignored all of this and warned of an upsurge in “threats of violence” and “efforts to intimidate individuals based on their opinions.”
“I certainly share your view that threats of violence have no place in this country, but the backdrop to your note strongly suggests that your concern is not violence, but democratic retreat against violence. critical race theory, ”he added.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis also expressed himself, claiming that his state “will not allow federal agents to quell dissent.”
“Attorney General Garland is arming the DOJ by using the FBI to pursue concerned parents and silence them through bullying,” he wrote in a Tweet. “Florida will defend the free speech rights of its citizens and will not allow federal agents to suppress dissent. “
[ad_2]
Source link