Attorney General Miyares Supports Loudoun County Parents in First Amendment Dispute

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has taken a stand for free speech, filing an amicus brief with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to support Loudoun County parents who were silenced by the local school board. The case stems from an October 2024 incident where parents raised safety concerns about a student with gang ties and prior firearm offenses being re-enrolled at Purcellville High School. The Loudoun County School Board cut off their comments, claiming the remarks were “misinformation.”

Miyares argues this action violates the First Amendment, which protects citizens’ right to express concerns, even when those concerns are critical of government decisions. In the brief, he urged the court to overturn a lower court’s denial of a preliminary injunction against the school board.

“Parents expressing safety concerns for their children should never be silenced,” Miyares stated. “The First Amendment protects all viewpoints, including those critical of government decisions. Silencing parents who speak out to protect their children undermines free expression, parental rights, and the accountability elected officials owe to their communities.”

The issue began when parents voiced fears about a student with alleged ties to the MS-13 gang and a history of firearm offenses returning to school. The school board swiftly shut down public comments during a meeting, dismissing parents’ concerns as politically motivated “misinformation.” A statement later issued by the board accused parents of promoting “unverified allegations” and claimed that allowing such criticism would harm the community.

Legal experts have noted that even in limited public forums, such as school board meetings, the government is prohibited from engaging in viewpoint discrimination. According to Miyares, the board’s actions send a dangerous message about suppressing dissent and discouraging public participation.

The case now awaits review by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, where Miyares’ brief urges the judges to defend the constitutional right of parents to be heard without fear of censorship.

Read the amicus brief here.