Americans United for Life Files Suit in Defense of Whistleblower
On Wednesday, October 29th, Americans United for Life (AUL) hosted a press conference after filing suit against Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) on behalf of their client, Centreville High School teacher-whistleblower Mrs. Zenaida Perez. At the Fairfax County District Court Building, Mrs. Perez, made an official statement in both English and Spanish; calling for justice for her students and explaining that the only reason she has come forward is to protect other vulnerable minor girls and the rights of their parents. She spoke alongside her attorneys and accompanied by a host of supporters from Northern Virginia, including Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL) president, Olivia Gans Turner.
The lawsuit against Fairfax County Public Schools claims retaliation and defamation against Mrs. Perez by the school district and Centreville High School and Fairfax County officials. Both claims arise from her status as a protected whistleblower, based upon the allegations by Mrs. Perez of district employees facilitating abortions for minor students without parental knowledge or consent as required under Virginia law.
Steven H. Aden, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for AUL and attorney representing Mrs. Perez, stated, “The thinly veiled attempts to whitewash the allegations by Mrs. Perez via ad hominem attacks and fabrications have left us no choice but to meet Fairfax County Public Schools in court. We stand with Mrs. Perez and the stories that have been told by vulnerable students and their family members of coercion into illegal abortions.”
Monique A. Miles, Co-counsel with AUL, stated, “As an alumna of Centreville High School, I find it disturbing that teen girls were endangered in the very halls that I used to walk and felt safe in. I remember admiring the two teen moms who I knew in my graduation year. I can’t imagine their boys (who are now in their 20s) not being born because a high school employee took them to get abortions without their parents’ knowledge. Unbelievable. I admire Mrs. Perez for standing up for what is right without letting the fear of retaliation silence her.”
“VSHL is hopeful that justice will be served in this case and that Mrs. Perez will finally be heard and her courageous efforts to defend the students of Centerville High School will be recognized.,” said Olivia Gans Turner.
