The Virginia NAACP filed a lawsuit against a county school board on Tuesday for reinstating Confederate military names to two schools. The NAACP accused the board of promoting segregationist values and creating a racially discriminatory educational environment for Black students.
The Shenandoah County school board voted 5-1 last month to change the name of Mountain View High School back to Stonewall Jackson High School, and Honey Run Elementary back to Ashby Lee Elementary. This decision reversed a 2020 move to remove the original names amid nationwide protests against racial injustice.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg, states that Black students make up less than 3% of the school system’s population. The plaintiffs include five students, described as Black, White, and biracial, along with their parents.
The NAACP argued that forcing students to embrace Confederate symbolism violates their First Amendment rights by compelling them to endorse views they disagree with. The lawsuit also claims that the Confederate school names constitute racial discrimination in a state-supported institution, violating the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
The school board chair, Dennis C. Barlow, was contacted for comment but did not immediately respond.
The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project noted that the trend of removing Confederate names and memorials has continued, with some exceptions. The sentiment among the Shenandoah County board members who voted to restore the Confederate names was said to reflect popular community opinion.
The decision to reinstate the Confederate names sparked significant public debate, with residents expressing differing viewpoints. Some argued against the move, citing concerns about dignity and respect for minority students, while others defended the historical significance of the names.
The school board resolution indicated that private donations would cover the costs of the name changes. Shenandoah County, known for its conservative politics, has been home to ongoing discussions about the legacy of Confederate figures in public spaces.
