Spotsylvania County, Virginia: School board censors citizen who satirized district policies and personnel decisions

At the October 13, 2025, Spotsylvania County Public Schools Board meeting, Shamgar Connors spoke during the public comment period, adopting a mock persona and using satirical language to criticize the school district’s diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring policies, which he blamed for the district’s failure to prevent a school bus aide’s abuse of students. The board chair interrupted Connors, accusing him of engaging in “mocking” and “racist rhetoric,” and ejected him from the meeting. The board subsequently issued a “No Trespassing Order” prohibiting Connors from attending board meetings for eight months.

On February 26, FIRE wrote to the board, explaining that its censorship of Connors violated the First Amendment and calling on the board to immediately rescind its no-trespass order.