“Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares Discusses Free Speech, Israel-Hamas Conflict, and Criminal Justice Reform at Blue Ridge Center Event”

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares recently spoke at an event titled “An Afternoon with Attorney General Jason Miyares,” hosted by the Blue Ridge Center and the Jefferson Council in collaboration with the Center for Politics on Grounds. The event focused on promoting free speech and debate on college campuses, with Miyares addressing various topics such as protests, the Israel-Hamas war, criminal justice reform, and more.

Miyares, who became Attorney General in January 2022, shared his personal story of becoming the first Hispanic American to be elected to a statewide office in Virginia. The son of a Cuban refugee, Miyares emphasized the importance of hard work and praised the opportunities available in the United States for those willing to put in the effort.

During the event, Miyares discussed his stance on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach in addressing the conflict in the region. He also addressed concerns about antisemitism on college campuses, with Civil Rights Lawyer Gregory Brown urging Miyares to pay more attention to the safety of Jewish students, citing instances of harassment and threats.

Another key topic of discussion was criminal justice reform and the abuse of police power in Virginia. Miyares acknowledged the imperfections in the justice system but emphasized the importance of targeting repeat criminal offenders to reduce crime rates. He highlighted the success of the Operation Ceasefire initiative, which focuses on prevention, intervention, and prosecution programs to address crime in Virginia cities.

The event concluded with an announcement of the last Blue Ridge Center event of the semester, featuring environmental activist Benji Backer. The engaging and informative discussion with Attorney General Jason Miyares provided valuable insights into pressing issues facing Virginia and the nation as a whole.