KKK Fliers Attacking Critical Race Theory in Schools Found in Virginia

Ku Klux Klan fliers have been distributed in Virginia towns opposing topics that were recently the center of a heated school board meeting.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that residents from Ashburn and Leesburg found the propaganda from Loyal White Knights Ku Klux Klan in their driveways on Thursday morning.

The sheriff's office said the fliers, which were placed in plastic bags and weighed down with birdseed, were also found in the driveways of several homes along Cross Timber Drive, Citation Drive, and Deer Chase Place in Ashburn, reported Loudoun Now.

Law enforcement said it does not appear that any of the households that received the fliers were purposely targeted.

KKK fliers have frequently appeared in the town of Leesburg in recent years.

"They don't even have enough courage to bring it forward during the day; they throw it on people's lawns late at night," Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk told the Loudoun Times. "It's not wanted, it's not needed, it's not necessary and they're trying to rile people up."

A preliminary investigation found the fliers were distributed in response to a Loudoun County School Board meeting which broke out into chaos on Tuesday, amid a heated debate about the teaching of critical race theory and a draft policy on transgender and nonbinary students' rights.

"Loudoun County, VA —oppose queer-loving, CRT-crazy School Board!" the KKK fliers read in capital letters.

"Citizens, work together with law enforcement—we'll need each other to stop the Communists!!!," the fliers add. "100% Americanism—pray for white Americans."

One man was arrested and another was issued a trespassing summons after disorder erupted during the Loudoun County School Board's June 22 meeting.

Protests broke out over plans to allow students to use bathrooms that "correspond to their consistently asserted gender identity," and any suggestion regarding the teachings of CRT—an academic theory that argues racism is a social construct with laws and institutions existing to inherently favor white people.

During the meeting, former Virginia State Senator Dick Black accused the school district of "teaching children to hate others because of their skin color" if they add CRT to the curriculum.

A Loudoun County School District public information officer told Newsweek: "We are not implementing CRT in the curriculum. There are no plans to do so."

Several states across the U.S are also seeking to ban the teaching of CRT in schools.

In her closing remarks, School Board Chair Brenda Sheridan said: "Tonight, the Loudoun County School Board meeting was interrupted by those who wish to use the public comment period to disrupt our work and disrespect each other.

"Dog-whistle politics will not delay our work. We will not back down from fighting for the rights of our students and continuing our focus on equity."

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has been contacted for comment.

The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information about the KKK fliers or with possible surveillance video should contact LCSO Detective Pickrell at 703-777-1021. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office app.

kkk leesburg
Signs are seen on a bench during a rally against "critical race theory" (CRT) being taught in schools at the Loudoun County Government center in Leesburg, Virginia on June 12, 2021. KKK fliers have been distributed in Leesburg opposing CRT after it was the center of a heated school board meeting. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images

Editor's Picks

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Unlimited access to Newsweek.com
  • Ad free Newsweek.com experience
  • iOS and Android app access
  • All newsletters + podcasts
Newsweek cover
  • Unlimited access to Newsweek.com
  • Ad free Newsweek.com experience
  • iOS and Android app access
  • All newsletters + podcasts