The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
AD
The Epoch Times
Education
Featured

‘A Free Speech Victory’ in a ‘Very Dark World’: Loudoun County Father Arrested at 2021 School Board Meeting Reacts to Acquittal

‘A Free Speech Victory’ in a ‘Very Dark World’: Loudoun County Father Arrested at 2021 School Board Meeting Reacts to Acquittal
Jon Tigges (C), his attorney Chris Kachouroff (R), supporter Ralph Polachek outside the Loudoun County courthouse in Leesburg, Va., on Jan. 4, 2023. Courtesy of Jon Tigges
Terri Wu
Terri Wu
1/12/2023|Updated: 1/13/2023
0:00

Jon Tigges, the Loudoun County father arrested at a heated school board meeting in June 2021, was found not guilty of trespassing. On Jan. 4, a judge at the Loudoun County Circuit Court ruled so, overturning a guilty determination by a lower court.

Tigges was arrested and charged with trespassing for refusing to leave the school board meeting room after the then-superintendent declared the public gathering an unlawful assembly. Around 250 people were due to speak during public comment that day, but the board cut off the session earlier, citing a disruptive crowd.

Terri Wu
Terri Wu
Author
Terri Wu is a Washington-based freelance reporter for The Epoch Times covering education and China-related issues. Send tips to [email protected].
Author’s Selected Articles
Learning Machines or Machine Learning? How Education Shapes the US–China Tech Race
Apr 14, 2026
Learning Machines or Machine Learning? How Education Shapes the US–China Tech Race
Beijing Is Facing the Biggest Challenge to Its Soft Power
Apr 07, 2026
Beijing Is Facing the Biggest Challenge to Its Soft Power
China’s Growth Is Headed Toward Zero—What It Means for the US
Apr 04, 2026
China’s Growth Is Headed Toward Zero—What It Means for the US
When China’s Growth Deflates to Zero—What It Means for the US
Mar 31, 2026
When China’s Growth Deflates to Zero—What It Means for the US
Related Topics
Loudoun County Public Schools
Scott Ziegler
AD
Add to My List
Save
The Epoch Times
Copyright © 2000 - 2026 The Epoch Times Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.