Systemic Racism Initiative Draws Lawsuit Against Loudoun Schools

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A group of parents have filed a federal lawsuit against Loudoun County Public Schools. The parents claim that the school system's Student Equity Ambassador program — aimed at dismantling systemic racism — is discriminatory and a violation of students' freedom of speech.

There are two ambassadors at each high school and middle school, and they are encouraged to represent and amplify the voices of students of colors in "Share, Speak-up, Speak-out" meetings at the schools, according to the school system's action plan.

The lawsuit alleges students could only participate as ambassadors if they were people of color or agreed to be an ally to people of color. Parents also expressed concerns about an anonymous racial bias reporting system that is paired with the program.

Loudoun County Public Schools refused to comment on the lawsuit, stating that they do not comment on ongoing litigation.

Ambassadors are selected by principals, and report to their school's Supervisor of Equity. Only two students from each middle and high school are chosen to serve as ambassadors through the program, the lawsuit states.

Daniel Suhr is a senior attorney at the Liberty Justice Center. "Not only are Loudoun school leaders telling students what they can and can’t say, they are imposing controversial political views on students and punishing those who don’t agree," Suhr claimed. "Loudoun County’s policies are extreme and divisive."

Related: Suspended Teacher Files Lawsuit Against Loudoun County Schools

Scott Mineo is the parent of a Loudoun County High School student. He claims his student was excluded based on her views. The ambassador program is limited to "allies," the lawsuit claims.

In the complaint that was filed in U.S. District Court, Mineo's representation said, "His child would not meet the criteria established by LCPS and would not describe her views as 'social justice' as LCPS uses that term."

The school system provided criteria for prospective ambassadors in an information packet about the program. They noted that the ambassador should be honest, sympathetic, passionate about social justice, and have the respect of their peers.

In a news release, the Liberty Justice Center claimed that Loudoun County's views on race were extreme and political. "The program is paired with a Bias Reporting System, essentially converting students into the speech police," the Liberty Justice Center said.

They said student ambassadors have "the power to name and shame peers for expressing viewpoints inconsistent with extreme racial political ideology."

Complaints through the bias reporting system are filed using a “Share, Speak Up, Speak Out form," according to the lawsuit. Incidents are investigated by the school system if the person submitting the form opts to request an investigation.

The lawsuit does not clarify what racial political ideology is being pushed through the equity program, other than "social justice" and "amplifying the voices of students of color." However, the suit does note that the plaintiffs' students "hold views about important public issues that they believe conflict with LCPS’s definition of social justice."

"Instead of opening young minds, Loudoun County school leaders are policing them," Mineo said. "This is not education; it is coercion."

According to the lawsuit, Loudoun County schools wrote that the program's bias reporting "is focusing on race because it is important to recognize students who have been marginalized."