10/28/2024
We'll also make these available as shorter clips.
On July 20, 2023, a book banning event was held near the PLCS central office, co-organized by SPLC-recognized extremist group "Moms for Liberty" and local groups "Team Sarpy" and "Sarpy Conservatives". The organizers banned some community members along with the press, and they tried to intimidate attendees out of using recording devices in an attempt to keep audio or video from reaching the public.
Their attempts didn't work and recordings are being leaked.
This video features recordings of keynote speaker Edward Weniger, who is running for the Papillion-La Vista school board. He instructs attendees to abuse a complaint form as a way to attack teachers and librarians he disagrees with in an attempt to revoke their teaching certifications, endangering their very livelihoods. The form in question is intended to be used for very serious allegations, such as with cases of sexual assault. It is NOT intended to be used in some sick revenge plot against teachers and librarians the complainant disagrees with in pursuit of some extremist ideology.
Later on, he instructs the audience to associate school board and city council political opponents with the words "p**n" and "children", so "it makes it easier to replace them come November 2024". He also jokes that "I probably won't be able to get through this whole thing without saying 'groomers'". We don't think this is a joking matter, and indeed, this very tactic was used by Edward Weniger himself against the 3 Republican incumbents he is running against.
The clip also features a few screenshots detailing more information on Edward's disturbing statements and actions. The first is of an email in which Edward Weniger demands disciplinary action be taken against a school staff member because he didn't agree with how certain book categories were listed in a school building's website. The second screenshot is of a news article about a gun-related incident involving Edward entitled, "Papillion man faces felony charge for gun in PLCS meeting". The third screenshot is of a social media post made by Edward, where he states, "I disagree with the existence of the entire public school system..."
Contrary to campaign statements found on his website, Edward Weniger is proving to be quite the reckless and grossly irresponsible force of division in this community.
It should be noted that Edward Weniger is an active member of the aforementioned Team Sarpy/Sarpy Conservatives, whose members are the people Don Bacon was referring to when he used the "radicals" label.
Leaked recordings also feature keynote speakers State Board of Education candidate Linda VerMooten, Plattsmouth School Board member Terri Cunningham-Swanson (who was successfully recalled), and Nebraska Library Commission member Tiffany Carter.
More information on PLCS school board candidates can be found on our website: https://www.plvedmatters.org
