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
| State | Name | Position | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Givler, 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 |
| Florida | Reeder, Robyn Yantz, Anthony | Candidate for Lake County Commissioner Candidate for House of Representatives | District 3 District 33 |
| Illinois | Lonigro, Emily | President, Lime Red Inc. and School Board Member | School Board District 68 |
| Kansas | Woody, Eli | Candidate for Congress | Congressional District 2 |
| Maryland | Dahne, Judy | Educator and reading specialist | Baltimore |
| Michigan | Derringer, Clint | Candidate for school board | School Board Grosse Pointe |
| New Jersey | Souder, Kristyn | Candidate for board of education | Haddon Township |
| New York | Aymar-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 |
| Ohio | Higgins, 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 |
| Virginia | Spillman, Allison | Candidate for school board | Albemarle County |
| Washington | Adkins, 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.
John Adams
Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.”