Standoff In Virginia As Schools Defy Governor’s Order Making Masks Optional

Numerous Northern Virginia schools refused to provide in-person education to students who were not wearing a mask on Monday, defying an executive order from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin that went into effect this week.

Faced between following the rules of the state or the school district, the vast majority of students wore masks to avoid punishment from their schools, but those who did not were segregated into a separate room.

At Woodgrove High School in rural Purcellville, about a dozen adults and a dozen students gathered just before the morning bell to prepare for resistance. They shouted encouragement to other students who were not part of the group but who approached the doors without masks. “Be strong, kids!” they said. “You deserve to breathe … Freedom! Do you want it? Or do you want to be a slave to the school board? … Get rid of the bacteria.”

One 11th grader told The Daily Wire, “It’s our parents’ rights that they are taking away from us. We’re told to listen to our parents. Now they are not listening. It’s about respecting the government. We followed [Democratic Gov. Ralph] Northam, they should follow Youngkin.”

Erin Thomas, one of the adult organizers, told kids, “You have every right to exercise your civil rights. … You have a copy of the EO, a note from your parents. … The school must provide in-person learning.” – READ MORE