Gov. Abigail Spanberger wants to amend legislation that would outline how public schools in Virginia teach about Jan. 6, 2021, the day that supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol Building to contest the 2020 election results.
The legislation, sponsored by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, prohibited school districts from describing Jan. 6 as a peaceful protest or giving any indication that election fraud occurred.
Spanberger’s proposed amendment would change the legislation by directing the Board of Education to study and determine whether these guidelines are necessary.
PEN America, a group that advocates for freedom of expression, recently sent a letter to Spanberger urging her to veto the legislation, calling it the “wrong answer” for combating a distorted memory of public events.
“We understand the need to push back against the false account of Jan 6 being pushed by President Trump and his allies,” wrote Laura Benitez, the senior manager of state policy and government affairs at PEN America.
She stressed that vague restrictions cause confusion and problems for teachers and school officials.
“Instead of ensuring that students are taught factual information, HB 333 would preclude nuanced conversations that could allow students to grapple with how such a violent day occurred,” Benitez wrote.
“This is a case of a different car, same destination,” Helmer said in a statement to Virginia Scope Monday night. “I’m glad that the governor agrees that Virginia public school students must learn the truth of what happened on January 6th, and I’m proud that this first of its kind legislation will ensure that the truth of what happened that day is preserved in our education system.”
The General Assembly meets on April 22 to take up Spanberger’s vetoes and amendments.