FCPS is the 9th-largest school system in the nation, with more 177,000 students enrolled in over 200 schools and centers. However, recent events have unfolded where students speaking up have resulted in retaliation by the administration.

The specific issue I want to address here happened at TJHSST, the fifth best high school in the nation, and was brought up by a friend of mine. They reported a violation of Title IX by a teacher on Instagram and were promptly investigated. An administrator was sent to find them. They currently have a file on my friend mentioning "online vigilantism".

As those of you that are reading this petition can tell, this shouldn't be happening. Students have the right, under the First Amendment, to speak out against things that should not be happening, especially if it jeopardizes other students' right to a safe learning environment. In fact, this is encouraged! However, when this actually happens and something is reported? The student faces consequences and the authorities are protected. There is no place for suppression of speech and advocacy in one of the largest school districts, especially in one of the best schools in the nation.

If Fairfax County Public Schools covers up these cases because they will bring bad publicity, that is downright stupid. By doing so, or attempting to, they reveal that they would much rather protect authorities and keep a good image than promote a safe learning environment for students. This makes their public image worse than if they had just fired or punished the authority figure instead.

As I have stated, students should have the right to a safe learning environment, and the right to speak up against what is wrong. By signing this petition, you are protecting students' rights to advocacy and free speech. By signing this petition, you will show the FCPS administration that my friend is not alone in speaking out. By signing this petition, you are helping make the change they were looking for, one signature at a time.

Thank you.