The Latest from VEA

Dr. James J. Fedderman, President of the Virginia Education Association, released the following statement in response to the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee:

“Educators believe with every fiber of our being that each and every young person who passes through our schools deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential both as students and as human beings. But the reality for many students, particularly young Black men, is that society sees them differently.

As we mourn yet another senseless death of a Black man at the hands of police, we are again reminded of the consistent failures of our current public safety model to protect Black lives. We deserve a public safety model that prioritizes life and opportunity, not punishment and criminalization, and we must have accountability in that public safety model so that when police officers breach public trust, there are immediate and serious repercussions.

I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to Tyre Nichols’ family and the entire Memphis community. The coming days and weeks will not be easy, but I hope it helps to know that you are not bearing this burden alone. Until we are all safe, no one is safe.”