In a previous email we explained that we would not be attending the school board meeting due to safety concerns. At the meeting, during public comments, several members of the anti-maskers group refused to wear masks, made threatening comments and brought an enlarged picture of Alex Vara to indicate they were going to attempt to recall him. Later, the same individual who brought a large weapon to the meeting on 8/10, announced that he was going to make this issue personal and disclosed this same school board member’s personal address. This was not only alarming, it is potentially dangerous. The school board made the right call in adjourning the meeting after the audience refused to stop being unruly.

As a community, we want to express our support for RUSD Board Member Alex Vara. He has worked tirelessly to provide a safe environment for our community; as well as being active in RUSD declaring racism a public health crisis. No doubt this is what is drawing the attention of these people.

This level of intimidation cannot stand in our community, and we need to express our support for Alex Vara immediately.