PLEDGE TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OUR CHILDREN, AND OUR COUNTRY

The foundation of our country is freedom, democracy, and liberty, and The Pledge underscores these tenets. Signers pledge to defend the civil rights of all members of their community regardless of race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or anything else.

Elected officials and candidates running for office who sign The Pledge are assuring their constituents that they will actively protect all members of their community, in particular those members who face attacks from extremist Christofascist groups.

We welcome the opportunity to amplify anyone who signs this pledge by thanking them on all of our social media channels, including their name on our website, and we welcome the opportunity to visit them personally to express our gratitude. 

I acknowledge that my constituency is made up of individuals from every walk of life, all religions, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. I recognize that at this time our LGBTQ+ and Black, Indigenous, and families of color face significant threats from extremist groups. I pledge to give a voice to and to protect the civil rights of all members of my constituency.

I acknowledge that an excellent public education system and access to information is the cornerstone to a fully functioning society. I pledge to support, and when necessary, advocate for teachers, librarians and other educators within my public school system.

Parents should be involved in and have input regarding their own child’s education; however, this right does not extend to other children within the school system. By signing this pledge I acknowledge that our education professionals are the ones who are best qualified to make decisions regarding materials included in their classrooms and libraries.

Disclaimer: Signers of this pledge are not endorsed by Defense of Democracy or its affiliates. Signers cannot use this pledge as proof of an endorsement or for campaign purposes.


Who Signed the Pledge

StateNamePositionDistrict
ColoradoGivler, Dr. Angel
Newton, Elizabeth
Rogers, Rob
Smith, Mischa
Torres, David
Wenning, Rhiannon
Candidate for school board
Teacher
Vice Chair of the Democratic Party
Chair of the Democratic Party
Candidate for representative
Candidate for representative
Colorado Springs
Fort Collins
El Paso County
El Paso County
Colorado House District 5
 Colorado House District 30
FloridaReeder, Robyn
Yantz, Anthony
Candidate for Lake County Commissioner
Candidate for House of Representatives
District 3
District 33
IllinoisLonigro, EmilyPresident, Lime Red Inc. and School Board MemberSchool Board District 68
KansasWoody, EliCandidate for CongressCongressional District 2
MarylandDahne, JudyEducator and reading specialistBaltimore
MichiganDerringer, ClintCandidate for school boardSchool Board Grosse Pointe
New JerseySouder, KristynCandidate for board of educationHaddon Township
New YorkAymar-Blair, Dan
Carroll, Matthew
Haas Manley, Linda
Lawler, Brendan
Montgomery, Nancy
Naramore, Sally
Thompson, Nedra
Valdés Smith, Yvette
Zurhellen, Tommy
Legislator
Democratic Committee Member
Candidate for Dutchess County Legislator
Former Legislator
Candidate for Putnam County Legislator
Department Chair and Educator
Common Council Member
Dutchess County Legislator and Minority Leader
Candidate for County Executive
City of Beacon, Ward 4
Poughkeepsie
County Legislative District 5
Dutchess County
County Legislature District 1
Hudson High School
Poughkeepsie
County Legislative District 16
Dutchess County
OhioHiggins, John
Wall, Lyndsie
Candidate for school board
Candidate for school board
North Royalton
Mentor Public Schools
Pennsylvania
Buck, Peter
Corcoran, Dan
Flood, John
Kichline, Jason
Saval, Nikil
Thomas, Isaiah
Wilson, Anndra
Director, Board of Directors
Candidate for State Representative
Candidate for school board
Candidate for school board director
State Senator
City Council Member
Educator
State College Area School District
161st District, Delaware Valley
Cumberland Valley
Mechanicsburg Area School District
Senate District 1
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Schools
VirginiaSpillman, AllisonCandidate for school boardAlbemarle County
WashingtonAdkins, Charles
Blakely, Crystal
Chase, Carin
Candidate for school board
Candidate for school board
Candidate for school board
Everett
Monroe
Edmonds

“Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge.
Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.”

John Adams