A True Grassroots Story
Our vision is a public education system that strengthens democracy and serves and reflects all of America.
In the spring of 2022, two moms in a small upstate New York town came together to fight back against three school board candidates endorsed by Moms for Liberty, which since that time has been labeled an “anti-government extremist organization” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, stating that their “social media accounts and real-world activity…reflect views and actions that are antigovernment and conspiracy propagandist, anti-LGBTQ and anti-gender identity, and anti-inclusive curriculum.” Karen Svoboda and Laura Leigh Abby were quickly joined by a dedicated team of parents and advocates. Working together, we were able to double voter turnout—and defeat all three candidates.
Since our incorporation in October 2022, Defense of Democracy has established chapters across the country, mobilizing communities and protecting our families and public schools.
Defense of Democracy is made up of people from all walks of life, including our affiliate groups Veterans Defending Democracy, Students Defending Democracy and Faith Leaders Defending Democracy.
Importantly, our organization is passionately committed to nonpartisanship and welcomes anyone who opposes the oppression of their fellow Americans, particularly those in marginalized communities. Some of our most vocal advocates are individuals who consider themselves conservative but happen to know and love people who are in communities that are under attack.
Our Mission Statement
501c3 Defense of Democracy Civic Education educates the public on the importance of the public school and library systems in a functioning democracy and provides training, tools and coordination for strategic volunteer engagement in communities across the country.
501c4 Defense of Democracy Civic Action advocates for a public school and library systems that provides robust, inclusive learning environments for all students, and lobbies for policies to restore and strengthen the pro-democracy role of public education in communities across the country.
Get Involved
You can become a part of our fast-growing organization in many ways. All are needed:
Nonpartisanship
We are a nonpartisan organization. Defense of Democracy members represent all political leanings and work across party lines with the understanding that being American is not defined by race, religion, or sexual identity.
Core Beliefs:
1. Public Education is a Cornerstone of Democracy: We believe America’s public education system has a duty to fulfill certain public missions that go beyond the purely academic purposes of all schools, public and private:
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To provide universal access to free education.
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To prepare people for citizenship in a democratic society.
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To guarantee equal opportunities for all children.
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To prepare people to become economically self-sufficient.
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To improve social conditions.
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To unify a diverse population.
2. Freedom, Equality and Justice: We believe that freedom of conscience, equality and justice have been the basis for our democracy since the founding of our country. Although anti-democracy groups have worked to strip some citizens of these rights, we believe that in order to perfect our democracy, we must continually strive to make these principles integral to everyday civic life in America, particularly in our public education system.
3. Critical Thinking: We believe that critical thinking is essential for citizens to fully participate in a democratic society. To develop this skill, students must engage with facts, evidence, observations and arguments in order to form judgments based on rational, skeptical and unbiased analysis and evaluation.
4. Professional Expertise: We believe that academically-qualified and professionally-certified teachers, librarians, media specialists and administrators are the most qualified to evaluate age-appropriate books and materials, design effective learning environments, teach students and help achieve the goals of America’s public education system.
5. Equity and Inclusion: We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live their full potential and that our public schools and communities are stronger when they are full of opportunities for people with diverse identities, backgrounds and perspectives. We believe that America’s public education system has a duty to provide the best education and support services possible to all children regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, disability or socioeconomic status.
6. Well-being: We believe community public schools should be safe spaces that enhance the social, emotional and physical well-being of young people and their families, while also making our communities safer places to live.
Why Christian Nationalism is Anti-Democratic?
“Christian nationalism (is) the anti-democratic notion that America is a nation by and for Christians alone. At its core, this idea threatens the principle of the separation of church and state and undermines the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. It also leads to discrimination, and at times violence, against religious minorities and the nonreligious. Christian nationalism is also a contributing ideology in the religious right’s misuse of religious liberty as a rationale for circumventing laws and regulations aimed at protecting a pluralistic democracy, such as nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQI+ people, women, and religious minorities.”
– Amanda Tyler of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
