As Teachers and School Boards Face a Spike in Violent Threats, the Justice Department Is Stepping In

The U.S. Justice Department is launching an effort to combat a spike in harassment and violent threats against school board members and teachers, calling it a “disturbing trend,” while Republican leaders are denouncing the move as an attempt to silence parents amid debates over mask mandates and social justice issues. “While spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a memo on Monday, directing the FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to meet with federal, state and local leaders to address the issue. The department also plans to create specialized trainings for school leaders on how to recognize and report threats. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The initiative comes as school board meetings across the country have become the sites of contentious protests over face mask requirements and amid claims that schools are teaching critical race theory. (The academic framework is not actually taught in K-12 schools, but conservative advocacy groups have rallied around the term to criticize lessons about systemic racism or anti-racism training for educators, arguing it divides children.) <strong>“You have become our enemies and you will be removed one way or the other.”</strong>In Worthington, Ohio, in September, school board member Nikki...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 Education nationpod Source Type: news