Whidbey man threatens to sue students over Facebook post

Damian Greene says the posting indicates he had a role in stealing a Black Lives Matter banner.

Damian Greene (Whidbey News-Times)

Damian Greene (Whidbey News-Times)

South Whidbey School Board member Damian Greene is threatening to take legal action against a local youth activism organization composed mainly of South Whidbey High School students for a Facebook post he claims is libelous.

The post was made last month, shortly after the school district’s Black Lives Matter banner was stolen and its congratulatory banner for graduates vandalized.

The theft came on the heels of a demonstration in which around 140 community members, led by Greene’s wife, Maureen, protested the presence of the Black Lives Matter banner as well as progressive additions to the curriculum.

The post was made on the United Student Leaders, or USL, Facebook page. It encouraged community members to attend the June 23 school board meeting and ask questions such as “What was Maureen and/or Damian’s role in the stealing and vandalizing of the banners?”

Annie Philp, a South Whidbey High School student and one of USL’s founders, said the post’s intent was never to accuse the Greenes of directly stealing or vandalizing the banners.

“Instead, we wanted community members to acknowledge how Maureen and Damian may have instigated what happened, because both have repeatedly called for the banners to be removed,” she said. “We wanted answers.”

Greene, however, said the post’s phrasing indicated otherwise.

“Had the defamatory post stated ‘Did’ Greene have a role, rather than ‘What WAS’ Greene’s role, the post would not have been libel,” he wrote in a statement to the South Whidbey Record.

In Washington state, a plaintiff in a defamation case must prove the defendant made a false statement of fact about the plaintiff and demonstrate reckless disregard for the truth which caused actual harm to the plaintiff.

When the plaintiff is a public figure, he or she must also prove actual malice, meaning the defendant knew the statement was false and was not simply negligent.

Greene disclosed he was meeting with an attorney regarding the post during the June 23 school board meeting.

In his statement to the Record, he confirmed he is still consulting with the attorney but has not taken any legal action yet.

Philp confirmed that as of press time USL has not been contacted by Greene’s attorney.

“Certainly, nobody desires to enter into litigation. Hopefully it is not needed to fully learn the lesson here,” Greene wrote.

“This issue could have been resolved and still can, by USL simply removing the post,” Greene continued in his statement, later adding, “I am also giving USL ample opportunity to correct their error.”

As of press time, the Facebook post had not been removed.

“It’s still up there, and people still see that about us,” Maureen Greene said.

Maureen Greene displays a sign and distributes informational papers opposing the Black Lives Matter banner at a June 11 protest. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times)

Maureen Greene displays a sign and distributes informational papers opposing the Black Lives Matter banner at a June 11 protest. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times)

Philp said she did not find the threat of litigation credible because USL had no intent to cause harm to the Greenes or spread false information.

Rather, Philp said, since students had been the ones to ask for the Black Lives Matter banner and other curriculum changes opponents protested on June 11, the threat felt like an attempt to subvert student input.

“Continuing to not engage with students and to disregard what we had to say on the matter is just unacceptable at this point, considering it is our education,” Philp said.

“And since we have been so forthright in asking for what we want in our education, it just is inappropriate to disregard that and try to find a way around our voices,” she said.

USL member Eva Wirth added that it is frustrating to be facing opposition from a school board member, whom she feels should be students’ advocates and supporters.

“It’s just annoying, because if we keep talking about him and calling him out, then he will follow through on it,” Wirth said, referring to Greene’s pending legal action.

“But if we shut up, then that’s just what he wants us to do,” she said.

Greene said though he does welcome input from students, it is “the property taxpayer and voters who have the final decision as to what is taught in school.”

No curriculum should supplant parents’ rights to teach their children their own values and beliefs, including political beliefs, he said.

To Greene, the Black Lives Matter banner violates the standard of political neutrality to which public schools should be held because the Black Lives Matter Global Network launched a political action committee in October of last year.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, however, made a statement last summer that using Black Lives Matter terminology does not constitute inherently political activity.

Following the theft and vandalization, community members donated to cover replacement costs. Both the Black Lives Matter and congratulatory banners were replaced, and an LGBTQ+ pride banner was added to the fence, as well.

South Whidbey School Board Chairman Brook Willeford said the pride banner will be followed in August by a banner addressing civil discourse in South Whidbey schools.

The school board plans to add new banners each month to represent a variety of other communities.

Willeford also acknowledged the 160 students who staged a counter-protest on June 11 to speak up for their own wishes for their education.

“When students feel so much passion for learning, I think that it’s important to listen to them and support their efforts rather than feeling threatened by them,” he said.

This story originally appeared in the Whidbey News-Times, a sister publication to The Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.