Virginia Democrat Says ‘Forced Masking’ in Schools Violates First Amendment, Plans to Vote to End It

The Virginia Senate meets in Richmond, Va., in a file image. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A Virginia senator is promising to help pass a law barring school districts from compelling students to wear masks, asserting “forced masking” violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

Virginia Sen. J. Chapman Petersen, a Democrat, said in a missive obtained by The Epoch Times that he plans to ask Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, to send down special legislation or amend existing legislation to end “the forced masking of children.”