WASHINGTON — Several high schools in Virginia are threatening a boycott of the upcoming state debate championship after controversial comments from a university president.
Without naming names, The Virginia High School League said calls to sit out the event — to be held in April at Liberty University — came after School President Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged students to obtain a concealed weapons permit and carry their guns while on campus. The comments from Falwell came after the attacks in Paris, France and San Bernardino, California.
Ken Tilley, VHSL’s executive director, said some of the members expressed concerns about comments made by Falwell about Muslims made during a convocation.
“If more good people had concealed carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they go out there and kill us,” Falwell said Dec. 4.
After the comment sparked outrage by some, Falwell told WDBJ TV he was referring to “specific Muslims, not all Muslims.”
Speaking of the widespread call from schools to protest the comments, Tilley said in a statement that VHSL is listening to the concerns of members.
“VHSL staff and leadership take those concerns seriously and, together with appropriate law enforcement officials, will initiate a process of evaluating the safety of students when participating in VHSL events in light of these controversial comments,” he said.
Tilley said the organization respects the rights of Falwell to engage in public speech and will not take retaliatory action against the University because of the comments. Tilley also said it is the constitutional right of its members protest in a peaceful manner.
Speaking to the Roanoke Times, Tilley said he is not surprised that people are taking shots at Falwell.
“There really aren’t that many schools that have voiced many concerns, probably two or three, primarily [from] Northern Virginia,” Tilley told the paper. “A couple of people are just kind of piling on, I think.”
The Liberty University campus serves as a venue for VHSL athletic and academic events.
In the statement, Tilley said the VHSL wants students to participate in an environment free from harassment, personal threat, or physical or mental harm.
“If these essential freedoms cannot be guaranteed to VHSL participants, VHSL will re-evaluate the propriety of using Liberty University facilities for its championship events in the future,” he said in the statement.
