Virginia Schools Must Teach Jan 6 as Violent Attack, Not Peaceful Protest

Virginia schools will now teach the January 6 Capitol riot as a violent attack. This is a change from how some might have presented it before.
By Newsroom | Education, Virginia |

Virginia's legislature has enacted a new law prohibiting public schools from presenting the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot as a "peaceful protest" or from validating claims of "extensive election fraud" that could have altered the 2020 presidential election results. The legislation mandates that any instruction on the events must characterize the day as an "unprecedented, violent attack on United States democratic institutions, infrastructure, and representatives" with the explicit aim of overturning election outcomes. This move marks an attempt by the state government to shape the historical discourse presented within its educational system, a measure that has drawn criticism for its potential implications on academic freedom.

Government Intervention in Curriculum

The bill, designated HB333, explicitly forbids describing or portraying the actions leading up to or involved in the January 6 events as a "peaceful protest." Furthermore, it prohibits any statements suggesting or presenting as credible the notion of widespread election fraud capable of changing or having changed the 2020 election results. Instead, the statutory language dictates that schools must frame the event as an "insurrection."

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"All this does is put guardrails on to ensure public education in Virginia can’t lie to our kids," one proponent stated, framing the measure as a safeguard against disinformation.

Broader Implications and Criticisms

This legislation arrives at a time when discussions around historical accuracy and partisan interpretation of events are increasingly prevalent. The passage of HB333 is seen by some as a necessary step to ensure factual instruction, while others raise concerns about government overreach into educational content.

Critics, including some Republican legislators, have decried the bill, with one describing it as "state-sponsored mind control." These critiques highlight complex questions regarding the extent to which government bodies should dictate the portrayal of historical occurrences, especially within an environment where foundational facts themselves can become subjects of partisan contention.

The bill's passage through the Virginia legislature occurred on mostly party-line votes. While the specifics of Governor Abigail Spanberger's stance on the bill are not yet clear, her office has reportedly not responded to inquiries regarding her support for the measure. Notably, New York is also reportedly considering similar legislation aimed at dictating the teaching of the Capitol siege.

Background Context

The January 6, 2021, events unfolded as Congress was in the process of certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Democrat Joe Biden defeated then-President Donald Trump. The riot saw a mob breach the U.S. Capitol, leading to significant disruption and confrontation. State and local police in Virginia were among the law enforcement agencies that responded to the incident.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new rule did Virginia make about teaching the January 6 events in schools?
Virginia passed a new law, HB333, that says public schools cannot teach the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot as a 'peaceful protest' or say there was 'extensive election fraud'. The law says schools must teach it as a 'violent attack on United States democratic institutions'.
Q: Why did Virginia pass the law HB333 about teaching the January 6 events?
Supporters of the law say it is to make sure schools teach the truth and do not spread false information about the January 6 events. They believe it puts 'guardrails' on education to prevent lies.
Q: Who is affected by Virginia's new law on teaching the January 6 events?
Students in Virginia public schools are directly affected because their lessons about January 6 will now follow a specific government-mandated narrative. Teachers and school districts must also follow this new rule.
Q: What do critics say about Virginia's HB333 law for schools?
Some critics, including some lawmakers, say the law is 'state-sponsored mind control' and worry it is government overreach into what schools can teach. They question how much the government should control the teaching of history.
Q: What does the new Virginia law say about election fraud claims related to January 6?
The law explicitly forbids schools from presenting claims of 'extensive election fraud' as credible. It states that teaching must not suggest that fraud could have changed the 2020 election results.