Lawsuit claims kids being held 'hostage' to Left's agenda

California is currently in the process of trying to oust its ultra-left governor, Gavin Newsom, after the extensive damage to the state by his enforcement of strict lockdown measures. But the state is also seeing irreparable harm done to its youth via continued widespread school closures that have had numerous ill effects on millions of children.

In March 2020, the deep-blue Golden State beat out all other states to become the first to issue a statewide lockdown after the first surge of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths hit the United States, with other states soon following California's lead, according to TheBlaze.

The plaintiffs' attorney, Timothy Snowball – litigation counsel for Freedom Foundation – filed suit last week against the LAUSD, the United Teachers Los Angeles union (UTLA) and its president, Cecily Myart-Cruz. The lawsuit alleges the district and union are essentially keeping students hostage away from schools for reasons that have nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic – and everything to do with forwarding their political agenda.

"UTLA used the tragedy of COVID-19 as an excuse to extract concessions based on its preferred personal and ideological policies by holding the education and future of LAUSD's children hostage," the complaint states. "UTLA was willing for teachers to remain out of the classroom, and children, including plaintiffs, to suffer the mental, social and academic consequences."

Even after being out of school for more than a year, the damage is set to continue as school officials and union leaders somewhat conceded by continuing to push for a limited reopening.

"According to an agreement reached with the union, LAUSD students are scheduled to return to in-classroom instruction within a couple of weeks," TheBlaze reported. "However, students will return based on a hybrid model that limits the days and hours of instruction, [but] some parents have complained that the hybrid model isn't good enough after a year of distance learning."

The harm inflicted upon children is seldom mentioned in the news – and is apparently ignored by the schools – but families in L.A., who remain anonymous on the complaint, are exposing the ill-effects school closures have had on their children.

"One family says that their student was socially well-adjusted before distance learning, but has since become depressed, addicted to video games, and expressed suicidal thoughts," TheBlaze recounted from the lawsuit, noting that parents are seeking compensatory damages equaling the school's per-student budget.

"Another family says their autistic 11-year-old has struggled to pay attention with distance learning and has gained 30 pounds over the lack of exercise," that report added.