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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 the hate group Moms for Liberty. 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

Defense of Democracy educates the public about the value of inclusivity and the importance of emotional and physical safety for all individuals within the American public-school and library systems.

We support educators who present historically and scientifically accurate information, and encourage initiatives that enhance Americans’ shared experiences regardless of race, color, national origin, language, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, religion, or ability.

Get Involved

You can become a part of our fast-growing organization in many ways.  All are needed:

Start, Join, or learn about our chaptersDonate to support our workSubscribe to our mailing listFollow and share on Social Media

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.

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Core Beliefs:

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:

  1. To provide universal access to free education. 
  2. To prepare people for citizenship in a democratic society.
  3. To guarantee equal opportunities for all children. 
  4. To prepare people to become economically self-sufficient.  
  5. To improve social conditions.
  6. To unify a diverse population. 

Promoting a religious worldview by a public school official is intolerable at any level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, physical or mental ability, or socioeconomic status.

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