Wisconsin School District Faces Backlash Over Viral TikTok Incident
In a recent incident that has garnered significant attention, a school district in Wisconsin has reached out to local law enforcement regarding a mother who created a viral TikTok video. The clip, shared by Amanda Vogel, depicts her daughter in a wheelchair being segregated from her classmates during a choir concert, as reported by the Post.
Last year, police visited Vogel’s home on two occasions after the Pittsville School District, located roughly 130 miles west of Green Bay, sent her a cease-and-desist letter. This action was part of a campaign to compel her to remove the viral video, which, I suppose, is rather surprising.
An attorney representing Vogel from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) expressed concerns about the situation, stating, “Parents do not forfeit their constitutional rights when discussing their child’s education, nor should they have to deal with police presence at home due to social media posts.”
Vogel’s video highlighted her daughter’s experience of being sidelined while other children actively participated, which must have been incredibly upsetting as a parent to witness.
Despite the incident occurring in 2023, Vogel felt compelled to share her thoughts on TikTok in December. She conveyed her feelings of disappointment, writing, “It was heartbreaking to see her pushed aside while friends gathered, and no one seemed to notice before the concert.” She proposed a simple solution: a clear line on the floor that included her daughter. “If something so obvious got overlooked, what else might be missed when we’re not there?”
The video has since attracted over 11.6 million views, igniting public outrage against the school district’s actions.
Initially, Vogel set her video to private due to the district’s objections, but later reverted it back to public. In a formal response dated December 19, 2025, WILL rejected the cease-and-desist letter and indicated Vogel’s intent to safeguard her free speech rights.
“The attorney behind that letter hasn’t replied so far, but it seems the district was worried about some comments on the post and the repercussions following its viral success,” Brewer remarked.
A cease-and-desist letter obtained by the Post confirmed that Vogel did indeed receive visits from the Pittsville Police Chief. Brewer added that the law enforcement intervention was suggested by the school district’s attorney and didn’t stem from any safety threat.
WILL emphasized that under the First Amendment, school districts can’t pursue defamation claims as government bodies. They stated that the Pittsville School District acted improperly by trying to silence Vogel’s speech on the matter.
Vogel described the police chief’s visits as “courteous and professional,” but she still expressed a desire for a sincere apology—one not given begrudgingly, of course.
The situation isn’t unique; Brewer noted that this is the third instance his organization has addressed concerning school districts sending suspension notices to parents.
Following these events, Vogel has opted to homeschool her daughter. As of now, there has been no response from the Pittsville School District’s representatives, the attorney who sent the suspension letter, or the local police department regarding this situation.
