A private Facebook group made up of Virginia parents, teachers and school board members is reportedly targeting parents opposed to critical race theory — sparking an investigation by local law enforcement.
The group, which is called “anti-racist parents of Loudoun County,” consists of over 600 members, some of whom are accused of sharing personal information of parents who don’t support the controversial theory, WTOP News reported.
Ian Prior, a spokesperson for a group of parents who say they are being victimized, the Loudoun Parents for Education, told the publication in a statement that “there was a solicitation by one of the members of [the Facebook group] to target people that had opposed the school’s commitment to critical race theory concepts.”
Local parent Austin Levine testified at a March 23 school board meeting that board member Beth Barts orchestrated the attacks.
“I am on a list — not Santa’s list — but a list of enemies created by a group led by the marching orders of one of your colleagues,” Levine said, according to the report.
“This list included names, places of work, where they lived and their perceived wrongs. I should not have to live in fear because my opinions differ from elected officials’.”
Prior said the group is aiming to get the school board members purported to be involved in the online attacks recalled.
Loudoun County Public Schools interim Superintendent Scott Ziegler told WTOP News that the district has not adopted the critical race theory as part of its curriculum.
“Social media rumors that staff members have been disciplined or fired for not adhering to the tenants of critical race theory or for refusing to teach this theory are not true,” Ziegler told the outlet.
Ziegler also said he does not condone calling out community members who may possess differing opinions.
Ziegler said he wants to ensure “every student, employee and member of the community is treated in an equitable, respectful manner.”
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is probing whether any crimes were committed in the alleged Facebook posts, Fox 5 DC reported.
