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

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‘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
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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.

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Terri Wu
Terri Wu
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Terri Wu is a Washington-based freelance reporter for The Epoch Times covering education and China-related issues. Send tips to [email protected].
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