Attorney General Steve Marshall (R-AL) on Monday called on the Biden administration to withdraw a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum seeking to scrutinize parents across the nation who express dissatisfaction with Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Nationally, parents have taken to public school board meetings to convey dissent over the implementation of CRT in official curricula. In light of the widespread grievance of such teachings, the Biden administration directed the DOJ and FBI to confront a “disturbing spike” in threats against public officials.
Many contend the Biden administration’s move is an effort to silence opponents of the progressive academic concept and believe it to be antithetical to constitutionally guaranteed free speech protections.
One of the directive’s opponents is Alabama’s chief law enforcement officer, who believes the memorandum was issued as an intimidation tactic.
“It is outrageous that the government would attempt to intimidate parents from expressing their First Amendment rights to elected school officials, and to characterize such constitutionally protected speech as domestic terrorism,” stated Marshall.
He added, “Over and above all the incredible attempts by this administration to undermine Americans’ rights, its gambit to muzzle and cower parents from speaking up for their children’s education is its most chilling, and frankly, lowest blow to common decency. This shameful attack on free speech cannot stand.”
The October 4 DOJ memorandum decried a “disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff.” As a result of the memorandum, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has sought to mobilize the FBI and other law enforcement agents to combat what the administration believes to be disorderly behavior displayed by parents.
Marshall says the administration has provided no convincing evidence of any significant “spike” in threats against school personnel. Additionally, he believes the memorandum serves to suppress lawful dissent of those who stand in objection to the controversial teachings of CRT.
The DOJ memorandum came on the heels of a September 29 letter sent to the administration by the National School Board Association (NSBA) which stated that the protests have risen to the level of “domestic terrorism.”
Marshall, along with attorneys general from 16 other states, on Monday sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Garland opposing the memorandum.
The letter reads in part, “We request that you immediately withdraw the October 4, 2021 Memorandum, to immediately cease any further actions designated to intimidate parents from expressing their opinions on the education of their children, and demand that you respect their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and to raise their children.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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