AI Overview
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Following reports of increased harassment and threats against school officials, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden in September 2021, requesting federal assistance to address safety concerns
. The letter suggested that some incidents could be considered "domestic terrorism or hate crimes," and recommended using the Patriot Act and other federal counterterrorism tools to address threats against school boards. The NSBA later retracted the letter and apologized for its wording after receiving criticism from various groups and organizations.
Attorney General Merrick Garland subsequently issued a memo directing the FBI and US Attorneys to address the rise in threats and harassment against school officials,
according to Congress.gov. Garland stated that while debate on policy matters is protected, this protection does not extend to threats of violence or intimidation based on an individual's views. He emphasized that the memo focused on criminal conduct and not on parents' views or opinions. In congressional testimony, Garland reiterated that parents voicing concerns at school board meetings are protected under the First Amendment's freedom of speech.