On August 19, 2025, Maribel Gardea, 42, was arrested during an Edgewood Independent School District board meeting. Gardea is the co-founder and executive director of MindShiftED, a grassroots organization serving parents and families in San Antonio’s most underserved neighborhoods, and the mother of a child with medically complex special needs.
She has been charged with criminal trespass, resisting arrest and interrupting a meeting or procession and she’s being held at Bexar County Jail on a $9,000 personal recognizance bond. Gardea was speaking at the board meeting about concerns related to bullying, security, and communication issues in Edgewood schools and was removed by police for going over her allotted time as she attempted to present her remarks in both English and Spanish.
Below is a statement from Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union:
“The National Parents Union is outraged by the unjust arrest and continued detention of Maribel Gardea, whose only ‘offense’ was courageously advocating for children and families in Edgewood.
Being silenced and forcibly taken into custody simply for going over her allotted speaking time is a blatant and shocking abuse of power.
Criminalizing passionate advocacy is not only a violation of free speech. It is a direct attack on every parent, advocate, and community leader who dares to raise their voice.
The fact that Maribel remains held on bail underscores the gross overreach and intimidation tactics that have no place in a democratic society and are being weaponized to silence advocates.
We demand Maribel’s immediate release and a full accounting from both the school district and the police department for this disgraceful suppression of parent voices.
Make no mistake: the National Parents Union will not be intimidated and will not back down until justice prevails.”
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/