BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — One of the parents who spoke at Gov. Ron DeSantis' news conference Wednesday said she agrees with the idea of letting parents decide whether to mask their children at school.

​Devon Marshall of Malabar said she feels parents' voices are being stifled and not being heard by the Brevard School Board, which is still requiring students wear face coverings in class, defying the state order that allows parents to decide.

DeSantis was in Brevard County Wednesday, gathering with local sheriffs and parents talking about contentious school board meetings and mask mandates. Brevard County meetings on the issue have gone long, with speakers delivering emotional and divided remarks on the issue. At least one school board member has said she and her family have been harassed and their safety has been threatened because of the masks issue.

In comments during his visit, the governor said he is standing against what he calls the federal government's "weaponizing" of the Justice Department to go after parents who protest mandates in schools. He also reiterated his commitment to parental rights to make decisions for their children.

"We're not gonna let the federal government come in and impose bad policies or mandates on Floridians," DeSantis said. "We're going to make sure we're protecting parents and students in the state of Florida."

This is on the heels of the National School Boards Association asking the Biden Administration and Department of Justice to investigate alleged threats towards school board members in several states, including Florida.

Marshall has 5- and 2-year-old children, both whom will soon head to public school. She was among several parents supporting the Parents' Bill of Rights, and echoing the governor Wednesday against mask mandates in Florida schools.

"I support what Gov. DeSantis is doing," Marshall said. "He's trying to protect us as parents, and what our rights are. At the end of the day that's all we want, we want someone to hear us, and listen to us, especially elected officials."

"Whether it's masks, or whatever, we are in this cycle of people on both sides of the aisle coming against each other, and we're here to listen to that if you have an issue," Brevard School Board District Four member Matt Susin said.

Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey and State Attorney Phil Archer said they won't cooperate with the DOJ on any investigations into parents who speak out.​

The Brevard School Board is meeting next Tuesday to decide whether to continue the mask mandates.

Currently, the school districts in Brevard and Orange counties are still battling with the Florida Department of Education over mask mandates.