Virginia PTA leader who declared 'let them die' while railing against opponents of CRT ousted from job



An official with the Virginia Parent-Teacher Association who made headlines last week after seemingly wishing death upon opponents of critical race theory has resigned from her position.

What is the background?

While concerned parents gathered outside Luther Jackson Middle School in northern Virginia last week for a "Stop CRT Rally," Michelle Leete — the vice president of training at the Virginia PTA, vice president of communications for the Fairfax County PTA, and first vice president of the Fairfax County NAACP — spoke to counterprotesters who support CRT.

During her diatribe, Leete seemingly said of critical race theory opponents, "Let them die!"

So, let's meet and remain steadfast, steadfast, in speaking truth, tearing down double standards, and refuting double talk. Let's not allow any double downing on lies. Let's prepare our children for a world they deserve. Let's deny this off-key band of people that are anti-education, anti-teacher, anti-equity, anti-history, anti-racial reckoning, anti-opportunities, anti-help people, anti-diversity, anti-platform, anti-science, anti-change agent, anti-social justice, anti-health care, anti-worker, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-children, anti-health care, anti-worker, anti-environment, anti-admissions policy change, anti-inclusion, anti-live-and-let-live people. Let them die. Don't let these uncomfortable people, don't let these uncomfortable people deter us from our bold march forward.

“Let them die,” says @FairfaxNAACP leader Michelle Leete at protest before @fcpsnews board. Folks against critical… https://t.co/1VnOxXlqn7

— Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) 1626387557.0

What happened now?

The Virginia PTA announced Saturday that it had requested, and received, Leete's resignation.

"While not speaking in her role within Virginia PTA, we do not condone the choice of words used during a public event on Thursday, July 15, 2021," the statement said.

Statement on resignation of VP of Training https://t.co/EZWPPUK6OH

— Virginia PTA (@VirginiaPTA) 1626529420.0

In a separate statement, the Fairfax County Parents Association further condemned Leete, whom the associated noted still works with the Fairfax County NAACP.

"Virginia PTA requests and receives the resignation of Michelle Leete due to her comments wishing the death of parents who disagree with her," the Fairfax County Parents Association wrote on Twitter.

"The actions & rhetoric of Ms. Leete & all of the like-minded partisan supporters of the SB are deeply disappointing. It evinces a deep lack of concern for children & parents, particularly where the wellbeing of children & families clash with political considerations," the statement added.

What did Leete say?

Leete told the Washington Post that her comment — "let them die" — did not refer to opponents of CRT, but rather "the ideals that show a disregard and lack of support for our teachers who have a truly difficult job to do even without a pandemic."

"I will certainly admit, it was ineloquently stated and with a pause for the applause, the timing was off," Leete added.

Asian parent calls out Va. school board over wokeness in powerful speech — gets told to sit down



Former Wall Street Journal writer and Asian American immigrant Asra Nomani delivered a moving speech before the Virginia school board overseeing her son's education, lambasting officials for their "anti-racism" propaganda push before she was cut off and told: "Go to your seat."

What are the details?

Nomani, who is now vice president of anti-indoctrination group Parents Defending Education, addressed the Fairfax County Public Schools board by reminding them, "I came before you in June 2020. I spoke to you during quarantine. I pled with you at that time, because I said to you that we had activists from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology — where my son is a senior — and that they had just debated the idea of an 'occupy TJ movement.'"

"I sent a note to every single one of you, and I got not a single response," she continued. "There was no concern about our students at that time. And then, the summer proceeded, and the principal at our high school told us that our mostly minority students and parents had to 'check their privileges.'"

Nomani then began calling out officials by name and to their faces, individually.

"[Superintendent] Dr. [Scott] Brabrand, you decided that our students and our families were spending thousands and thousands of dollars on test prep," she said, before turning to another official. "And then you, Melanie Meren, told us that we were 'toxic.'"

The mother didn't quit there. She continued, "And then, Karen Keys-Gamarra promoted the idea that we were racist. And then by the fall, every single one of you voted to remove the merit-based race-blind admissions test to TJ. And we pled with you, as Asians, as an immigrant, (I came at the age of 4, I knew no English), and you didn't listen to us."

She went on to say, "And now I sit hear listening to these empty proclamations and declarations you're making about your great value of Asian-Americans."

Nomani then criticized the board over a recent survey they sent parents via a partnership with The Leadership Academy, which the board has purportedly already paid nearly $50,000 to help promote "equity-focused leadership development" and "anti-racism," National Review reported.

But then a buzzer rang, signifying that Nomani's speaking time was up. An official immediately began telling Nomani that her "time has expired," and repeatedly calling for the "next speaker" before ultimately telling the mother: "Please, go to your seat."

In sharing the video of her speech on social media, Nomani tweeted, "I spoke from my heart to the @fcpsnews school board. Watch board chair Ricardy Anderson rage at me. Didn't she get the memo that watching the clock is 'white supremacy'? She reveals the board's true anti-Asian animus. @ricardy4Mason, YOUR time has expired."

I spoke from my heart to the @fcpsnews school board. Watch board chair Ricardy Anderson rage at me. Didn’t she get… https://t.co/k5ACBU9qr4

— Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) 1620362041.0

Anything else?

National Review noted that the school board is currently "facing at least two lawsuits alleging anti-Asian discrimination." The board did not immediately reply to the outlet's request for comment on Nomani's speech.