Washington, Oct. 5 (BUS) – Attorney General Merrick Garland has directed federal authorities to hold strategic sessions in the next 30 days with law enforcement to counter growing threats targeting school board members, teachers, and other staff in the nation’s public schools.
In a memo, Garland said there has been a “alarming rise in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against principals, board members, teachers, and staff involved in the vital work of running our nation’s public schools.”
To address the escalating problem, Garland said the FBI will work with US attorneys and federal, state, local, regional and tribal authorities in each region to develop strategies against the threats, the Associated Press reports.
“While spirited debate on political matters is protected by our constitution, this protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their opinions,” he said.
The measure comes in response to an urgent request last week from the National School Boards Association. The group, which represents school board members across the country, has asked President Joe Biden for federal help to investigate and stop threats to policies including mask mandates, likening vitriol to a form of domestic terrorism.
The association asked the federal government to investigate cases in which threats or violence could be treated as violations of federal laws protecting civil rights. It also asked the Department of Justice, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Secret Service to help monitor threat levels and assess risks to students, teachers, board members, and school buildings.
The group’s letter documented more than 20 cases of threats, harassment, disruption, and acts of intimidation in California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio and other states. It cited the arrest in September of an Illinois man on charges of aggravated battery and disorderly conduct for allegedly hitting a school official at a meeting. In Michigan, a meeting is disrupted when a man performs a Nazi salute to protest disguise.
“We’re after you,” the group said in a letter mailed to an Ohio school board member. “You force them to wear a mask – for no reason in this world but control. And for that you will pay a heavy price.” She described the member as a “dirty traitor”.
In his announcement, Garland said the Department of Justice will use its power and resources to deter threats and “prosecute them where appropriate. In the coming days, the Department will announce a series of measures designed to address the growing criminal behavior directed toward school personnel.”
School board members are largely unpaid volunteers, former parents and teachers who step forward to shape school policy, choose a supervisor and review the budget, but were afraid of how their jobs had suddenly become a culture war zone. The climate led to an increasing number of resignations or a decision not to seek re-election.
In a statement, Chip Slavin, Executive Director and Interim Executive Director of the NSBA, praised the swift action by the Department of Justice and noted the detrimental impact of threats of violence and intimidation on the education system.
“Over the past few weeks, school board members and other education leaders have received death threats, threats and harassment, both online and in person,” said Slavin. The department’s work “is a powerful message to individuals with violent intent who are focused on wreaking havoc and disrupting our public schools and driving a wedge between school boards, parents, students, and the communities they serve.”
RAE