Self-described moderate Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D.) praised anti-ICE school walkouts on Tuesday in her otherwise unremarkable rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
Spanberger cited the walkouts, some of which have been organized by Marxist groups and led to student suspensions in Virginia and elsewhere, as an example of the "determination" of students who "demand more from their government."
Students across the country—oftentimes encouraged by teachers and outside activists—have skipped class in protest of the administration’s immigration enforcement policies. In Virginia, one school suspended 323 students over their participation in such a protest. Though hailed as acts of student-led activism, many of the walkouts have instead been organized by left-wing groups. That was the case in Georgia, where the Party for Socialism and Liberation recently organized seminars to instruct teachers and students on how to orchestrate a walkout and other protest activities.
Spanberger’s support for the radical protest tactic undercuts her claim to be a moderate Democrat. A former member of the House, Spanberger campaigned last year on a pledge to reverse "learning loss" experienced by Virginia students who missed school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spanberger criticized Virginia leaders last year for the commonwealth coming in 51st—in last place—in terms of math recovery scores for public school students.
"As governor, I will work to make sure our school divisions, our schools, and our teachers have the funding and support staff they need to challenge our students and tackle learning loss—because I know that the success of Virginia’s next generation depends on the strength of our schools," Spanberger said.
