Civil Review Board Invites Hate Group Leader to Speak

On February 5, a "Civil Review Board" hosted a meeting at Oak Valley Church in Yucaipa to address the question, "What is your greatest concern with regards to your child's education?"

At this "townhall style community meeting," attendants heard from Brad Dacus, Esq., President and Founder of Pacific Justice Institute. 

According to Southern Poverty Law Center, the Sacramento-based group promotes anti-LGBTQ misinformation including "alleging gay marriage would lead to legalized polygamy and incest," homosexuality is more dangerous than chain smoking cigarettes," and  "LGBT History Month in schools promotes gay pornography."

The PJI website features a signup page for those who those seeking "vaccine resources, about seeking religious exemption or accommodation, denial of exemption or accommodation, military exemption, and much more."

According to Safe Redlands Schools, the organizers of the event overlap with those who have spoken out against masks and mandatory vaccination at Redlands school board meetings.

In a 2018 article by Olugbenga Ajilore of the Center for American Progress, Ajilore states over 150 civilian review boards exist in the US with the goal of overseeing police accountability. 

Since the pandemic, conservative organizations have co-opted the term, using it to intimidate school districts and school boards.