Hello! My name is Samantha Newell! I am leading the fundraising efforts for the legal fees to support our friends that were arrested at the Roanoke County School Board meeting on July 27th, 2024. On May 17, 2024, a Roanoke County Realtor spoke at the Roanoke County School Board Meeting. For approximately 4 minutes and thirty seconds (a minute and a half over the allotted speaker time), this realtor expressed bullying and slanderous statements against the LGBTQIA community and the teacher allies at Glen Cove Elementary School. He referred to specific teachers as, "sexual predators", "child abusers", and "groomers". He also referred to the presence of rainbows in an elementary school as, "indoctrinating" and "woke, progressive ideologies". The Roanoke County School Board allowed this realtor to speak these harmful statements with no interruption and instead provided this platform for an additional minute and thirty seconds to slander their teachers and staff members. At the next school board meeting on June 15th, 2024, hundreds from the community were present to express their feelings and concerns regarding the previous meeting. LGBTQIA members, allies, students, and parents shared their own stories and voices and expressed how important affirming teachers are. There was no response from the board. On July 27th, 2024, the most recent school board meeting, 27 Roanoke County residents stood at the podium in front of the board and expressed their concerns with the proposed policy of removing teachers' abilities to decorate their classrooms with anything that is not immediately related to the school curriculum. This policy was passed unanimously. Additionally, these residents provided statistics and personal stories all related to how harmful the proposed VDOE Model Policies Regarding Transgender Students will be should the board decide to go through with this policy. During the superintendent's presentation of this policy, there was one expression of displeasure. There was one warning provided. Upon a second expression of displeasure, the chairman of the board demanded the entire room be cleared. One by one, people left the room, except for one brave friend. He remained seated and bravely, continuously stated the expression we all were standing for, "Protect Trans Kids". This phrase echoed through the halls of the Roanoke County Public Schools Central Office as officers handcuffed and dragged him out of the room. Another brave individual stood by filming, ensuring laws were being followed. This individual calmly approached the chair of the board and was surprisingly presented with a badge being flashed. The chair was now identifying himself as a law enforcement officer, but despite five requests for a name and badge number, the chairman refused. He instead responded with a mocking and unprofessional tone and demeanor. This individual was also carried out of the room in handcuffs. These individuals selflessly stood up in the name of Protecting Trans Youth, and in the process, they were hauled away in handcuffs and charged with Trespassing. Your donations will go to assisting with legal fees directly associated with these charges. Any additional funds will be donated, by request of those who were arrested, to the Roanoke Diversity Center. Thank you for your time, your shares, your donations, and your compassion and support!
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